If you’ve ever walked into a bookshop and immediately wanted to bolt to the bathroom, don’t worry. It’s not just you.
Ah, our poopetrator: the Mariko Aoki phenomenon. A mysterious, oddly specific bodily urge that strikes when you least expect it. You’re browsing bookshelves, minding your own business, when suddenly you start getting a little cramp. You start feeling a little cold, maybe your palms are getting clammy.
You need the toilet.
Why do bookstores (and sometimes libraries) make people feel the sudden, undeniable need to poop?
Named after Japanese woman Mariko Aoki who publicly mentioned this experience in 1985, the phenomenon describes the unexpected urge to use the loo when entering a bookstore. It sounds like a joke, but it’s surprisingly common; enough that researchers and internet forums have debated it for years.
Why Does This Happen? It’s not just you!
While there’s no definitive scientific explanation, several theories attempt to explain this strange effect.
Old books release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paper and ink, which may be stimulating to some. The earthy, woody scent of paper might trigger a subconscious relaxation response, similar to how some people feel the need to poop when they get home (known as “key-in-the-door syndrome“, where individuals may feel an uncontrollable urge to urinate the moment they try to open the door for home). Many people also choose to read on the toilet, and the smell can cause a sensory trigger that tells our brains to go Number 2.
Another theory is that bookstores are quiet, calm spaces where people often feel at ease. For some, this relaxation can lead to parasympathetic nervous system activation, or the same system that controls digestion. Some have even theorised the quiet environment is similar to that of a high stress environment, such as exam rooms, which induces nervousness and can trigger bowel movements.
Other theories include walking slowly, bending to check lower shelves, or standing in a certain way might put subtle pressure on the bowels.
All of these theories are part of what’s called a conditioned response – if you’ve ever felt this way in a bookstore before, your brain might expect it to happen again, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.
While Mariko Aoki brought attention by mentioning her experience of this strange urge, people worldwide report the same experience. Reddit threads, Twitter confessions, and even scientific surveys confirm that this is a universal bookstore mystery.
How to Deal With It
If you’re a victim of the Mariko Aoki effect, here are some survival tips:
- Scope out the bathroom first (some bookstores have them, others don’t).
2. Avoid coffee before browsing (it’s a double-whammy for your bowels).
3. Embrace it! Maybe it’s just your body’s way of saying, “This book is so good, it’s moving me in more ways than one.”
Final Verdict: Science or Myth?
The phenomenon itself is something that hasn’t been explained from a medical perspective with an individual answer or pathological notion, at least at present. There’s no concrete proof, but the phenomenon is real enough for those who experience it. Whether it’s the smell, the ambiance, or just a weird bodily quirk, one thing’s clear: You’re not alone.
So next time you’re in a bookstore and feel the call, just remember, it’s not just you – Mariko Aoki would understand.
