⚠️This fact has been debunked
This is a widely circulated myth. While small amounts of gases can be absorbed through the intestinal wall, there's no scientific evidence that holding in farts is harmful to your health. The gases either get absorbed (harmlessly) or eventually released. This myth-busting makes for an entertaining article.
Held in farts enter your bloodstream and are bad for your body.
Do Held-In Farts Really Poison Your Blood?
You've probably heard it: hold in a fart, and those gases will seep into your bloodstream, traveling through your body like some kind of intestinal poison. It sounds scientific enough to be true. It's also completely wrong.
This myth has bounced around the internet for years, often citing vague "studies" that never quite materialize when you go looking for them. So what actually happens when you clench?
The Real Science of Suppressed Gas
Your intestines produce gas constantly—about 1 to 4 pints per day, depending on your diet. This gas is a mix of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and sometimes methane. When you hold in a fart, a few things can happen:
- Temporary absorption: Some gases get reabsorbed through the intestinal wall. This is normal and harmless—your body handles these gases all the time.
- The waiting game: The gas doesn't disappear. It builds up until you eventually release it, often with more... enthusiasm.
- Minor discomfort: Bloating, cramping, or that gurgling symphony your stomach performs in quiet meetings.
What doesn't happen is some toxic gas bomb entering your bloodstream and wreaking havoc on your organs.
Where Did This Myth Come From?
The confusion likely stems from a real phenomenon: gases can cross the intestinal barrier. But the amounts are tiny, and your liver and lungs are experts at processing trace gases. You exhale some of them without ever noticing.
A 2019 study did find that people who frequently suppress flatulence might experience increased bloating and discomfort. But "discomfort" is a far cry from "poisoning your blood."
Should You Just Let It Rip?
From a purely biological standpoint, releasing gas is better than holding it indefinitely. Chronic suppression might contribute to bloating issues over time. But the occasional clench during a job interview or first date isn't going to send you to the hospital.
The human body is remarkably good at handling its own waste products. Your intestinal gas isn't a ticking time bomb—it's just air looking for an exit.
So the next time someone warns you that holding in farts will poison your blood, you can confidently tell them: that's just hot air.