Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Mariko Aoki Phenomenon
Mar 20, 2024
Ever wondered why some people feel the urge to poop when they walk into a bookstore? This quirky phenomenon, named after Mariko Aoki, captures the baffling connection between reading environments and restroom needs. Discover hilarious personal stories and insights into the psychological factors at play. Is it the soothing atmosphere or just the coffee? Dive into the humor and mysteries behind this curiosity that affects ten percent of visitors.
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Auditorium urge
- Chuck and his friend Jim experienced a similar phenomenon in their high school's auditorium.
- They both felt the urge to poop every time they met there to write their radio show.
Mariko Aoki Phenomenon
- The Mariko Aoki phenomenon, named after Mariko Aoki, describes the urge to poop in bookstores.
- Aoki's 1985 letter to a magazine sparked a discussion and revealed it affects about 10% of people (in Japan).
Theories about the phenomenon
- There's no definitive scientific explanation for the Mariko Aoki phenomenon, but several theories exist.
- One theory suggests a link to the gut-brain axis, where the gut and brain communicate, potentially triggering the urge to poop in bookstores.