Influencer Sarah Adekola’s video encouraging people to consider fecal donation as a method to earn money has gone viral. Individuals with good gut flora can earn $500 each stool sample in the United States, thereby aiding people with bowel problems. If done on a daily basis, this might amount to up to $180,000 per year.
In a Facebook video, she stated that a variety of sites gather excrement samples in exchange for cash. Stool donors are in high demand, according to Adekola, who is also an engineer, and can earn up to $500 per stool.
This claim is supported by research that show there is a high medical need for stool donation. According to Breanna McSweeney, a medical student at the University of Alberta and the principal author of a study on this topic, the “ick factor” often deters potential donors.
The most successful treatment for the intestinal infection Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is fecal microbiota transplant (FMT). This treatment involves transferring healthy fecal matter from donors to patients with reoccurring infections in order to develop helpful microorganisms. Having a large pool of healthy stool donors is critical to ensuring universal access to this life-saving medication.
Aside from treating C. diff, fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is being investigated as a potential treatment for other common digestive illnesses such as IBS, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. As a result, as research into these applications develops, the need for stool contributions has increased.
With the increasing use of fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) in the treatment of various digestive disorders and a growing demand for stool donors, researchers at the University of Alberta conducted a study to investigate the motives that drive people to donate their stool.
According to a poll of 802 respondents from the United States, Canada, and England, altruism emerged as the major motive for stool donation, with 42% indicating a wish to help others. Economic remuneration was also mentioned by more than 35% of participants as a significant factor.
Individuals were more likely to contribute if they understood the positive impact of stool donations, had a favorable attitude toward fecal transplants, or were previously blood donors, according to the study. Significant barriers to stool donation, according to the research, include the time required, logistical issues, and the discomfort of the process.
Despite these barriers, McSweeney, the lead researcher, believes it is critical for people to know that stool donation has the potential to save lives.
Following Adekola’s tweet, other admirers reacted to the new earning option, with one social media user joking that it’s a profitable method to make money.
