The Hidden Science of Flatulence

Flatulence is one of the body's most universal and least discussed functions. But behind every burst of gas lies a complex ecosystem of trillions of microbes working around the clock inside your digestive tract. In this episode, we explore why flatulence happens, why it smells, and how new "smart underwear" may help researchers better understand digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome.

We'll unpack:

How and why the body converts food into flatulence.

The surprising history of flatulence in art and entertainment.

Why scientists study intestinal gas alongside other digestive signals.

What “smart underwear” is and how it works.

Guest: Brantley Hall, microbiologist at the University of Maryland and leader of the Human Flatus Atlas project.

Additional resources: https://join1440.com/t/gut-microbiome

Credits:

A production of Rhyme Media for 1440 Media

Host: Dina Fine Maron

Producer: Nicolo Majnoni