The Gut Health Episode: Harvard Doctor Reveals What’s Normal (and What’s Not)

If you’ve ever wondered whether your bloating is normal, what your poop is supposed to look like, or why your stomach seems to have a mind of its own… you are definitely not the only one. This conversation is hilarious, science-backed, and packed with the answers to questions we all have but rarely ask. By the end, you’ll understand your body better, feel less embarrassed about what it’s doing, and finally have a practical guide to taking care of your gut instead of guessing. Today, Dr. Trisha Pasricha is here to answer every question you’ve been too embarrassed to ask out loud. Dr. Pasricha is a Harvard Medical School physician-scientist, a board-certified gastroenterologist, director of the Institute for Gut-Brain Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the longtime “Ask a Doctor” columnist for The Washington Post. She’s also the author of the new book You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong. She’s funny, brilliant, and completely unafraid to talk about the things most doctors avoid, from poop and bloating to hemorrhoids, colon cancer risk, and the surprising ways your gut influences your mood and brain. In this episode, you’ll learn: -What a normal poop looks like and when you should go to a doctor -Why you’re bloated and what to do about it -Why looking at your phone on the toilet dramatically increases hemorrhoid risk (and the 5‑minute rule every GI doctor follows) -The mistake make that causes constipation -Why more young people are getting colon cancer, and the early warning signs of colon cancer you should never ignore -What your gut is telling you about your stress and mental health -The simple habits that support digestion, gut health, and long-term wellness This is the ultimate no shame conversation that will help you finally understand how to listen to your gut. Dr. Pasricha will change the way you think about digestion, gut health, and yes, even poop. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out this one next: Change Your Body & Your Life in 1 Month: 4 Small Habits That Actually Work Connect with Mel: Order Mel’s new product, Pure Genius Protein Get Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration. Get Mel’s bestselling book, The Let Them Theory Watch the episodes on YouTube Follow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast Instagram Mel's TikTok

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The Gut Health Episode: Harvard Doctor Reveals What’s Normal (and What’s Not) is an episode from The Mel Robbins Podcast by SiriusXM Podcasts.

This episode is 01:36:40 long.

This episode was published on Mar 30, 2026.

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