Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => That CAN'T be true! => Topic started by: Bret Turner on 07/08/2009 18:30:02

Title: Why do you need the toilet, just before you get home?
Post by: Bret Turner on 07/08/2009 18:30:02

Bret Turner  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hello fine Naked Scientists,

I absolutely love your podcast (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/), and usually listen while I'm jogging.

I have noticed something about the psychology of having to use the bathroom during a run, and wondered if you knew anything about this or had some insights? I find that no matter how long I've been running whether it's 25 minutes or 2 hours, I often find myself having to poop just as I'm approaching the end of my run, and rarely earlier. It's as if psychologically I realise I'm close to home, which has a toilet, and my brain tells my body that it's about to be able to... relieve itself. This actually also happens when just walking around sometimes, too.

A listener (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/) from California,

Bret Turner

What do you think?

Title: Why do you need the toilet, just before you get home?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 08/08/2009 01:34:04

Quote from: Bret Turner  on 07/08/2009 18:30:02

It's as if psychologically I realise I'm close to home, which has a toilet, and my brain tells my body that it's about to be able to... relieve itself.

Yup, I agree!

Title: Why do you need the toilet, just before you get home?
Post by: Don_1 on 08/08/2009 02:09:56

I have this trouble after a few bevvies down the boozer.

I find going into military mode a good idea.

RIGHT then you 'orrible little thing! Prepare to relieve yourself : w-a-i-t for it........ On my command, by the left........ Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Title: Why do you need the toilet, just before you get home?
Post by: LeeE on 08/08/2009 17:38:08

I've wondered about this too, and one possibility that occurred to me was that it might be linked to scent-marking.