Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a gastroenterologist and Harvard Medical School assistant professor who writes the Ask a Doctor column for The Washington Post, has a new book that tackles the science behind bowel movements and flatulence. She makes clear from the outset, “I’m not a wellness guru. I’m a scientist.” Pasricha’s work links gut health to disorders like Parkinson’s disease, and she doesn’t shy away from taboo topics. A Vanderbilt professor quoted in the book even calls an effortless, well-timed bowel movement “the second greatest bodily pleasure known to man.” The conversation around her book covers a wide range of practical and scientific points. You’ll find explanations of the three Ps—Propulsion, Pliability and Pelvic Floor—and debunking of ten common myths. Ninety-nine percent of farts are odorless; the rest owe their smell to hydrogen sulfide, which Pepto-Bismol can reduce. The normal pooping frequency and Bristol Stool Scale get a deep dive, and you learn why transit time matters more than you think. Bowel cleanses? Useless and risky. Instead, Pasricha recommends fiber “maxxing,” a five-minute limit on the toilet—and even specific positions to aid propulsion. She walks through the uses of psyllium and laxatives, the art of wiping versus bidet use, and strategies for managing fecal incontinence. You’ll also get into TRPV1 and PIEZO2 receptors that drive the urge to go, plus how coffee, alcohol, NSAIDs and hydration affect your gut. Finally, she sorts out various definitions of constipation and explains what gives poop its color.