Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistoryUsesBenefitsProcedureRisksContraindications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
History
Uses
Benefits
Procedure
Risks
Contraindications
History of Colonics and Colon Cleansing
A colonic is an alternative therapy whose roots extend as far back as the 19th century to a theory known as “autointoxication.”
John Harvey Kellogg (of Kellogg’s Cereals fame) was among the leading proponents of the theory having published the best-selling book “Autointoxication or Intestinal Toxemia"in 1919. In it, Kellogg stressed the importance of routine colon cleansing as an essential part of disease avoidance.
Purpose of Colonics
While the term “autotoxication” is rarely used when describing the benefits of colonics, the theory of “detoxification” has driven modern interest in colon hydrotherapy.
According to proponents of the practice, feces (stool) contains wastes that are either toxic or become toxic as they “stagnate” in thelarge intestine. By flushing the colon with water, these toxins can be removed, while toxins in the body can be “drawn out” of intestinal tissues.
Colonics have been said to benefit people with a host of illnesses, including alcoholism, allergies,arthritis,asthma, backache,colitis,diabetes, fatigue,gout, headache,high cholesterol,high blood pressure, indigestion,insomnia,liver disease,mood disorders, sinus congestion, skin problems, andthyroid disease.
Some people use colonics simply as a means to promote general health and well-being, while others embrace the practice as part of a general skincare and beauty treatment regimen.
Benefits of Colonics: What the Research Says
Of the available research, much of the findings are contradictory. Here are two examples illustrating the uncertainty surrounding the use of colonic hydrotherapy:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)is a functional digestive disorder that can cause bloating, gas,abdominal pain, cramping, and abnormal bowel movements. There are two main types:constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C)anddiarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D).
A 2016 study from Taiwan involving 18 participants,—12 with IBS-C and six with IBS-D—reported that twice-daily colonics performed six times weekly for one to four weeks improved symptoms in all groups. People with IBS-C reported bowel movements every 1.7 days rather than every 3.8 days, while people with IBS-D experienced more than a 50% reduction in loose or watery stool.
According to the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH) in Canada, colon cleansing is associated with some potentially serious complications, including perforations and electrolyte imbalances. Of 33 cases of perforation reported to the NCCEH, 13 caused death, while two out of five cases of electrolyte imbalances requiring hospitalization also resulted in death.
After 10 days of treatment, including the avoidance of colonics, the symptoms were alleviated and bowel movements were normalized.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)is an immune-mediated disorder that causes inflammation and tissue damage in the intestine. There are two main forms of IBD:ulcerative colitis (UC)limited to the large intestine andCrohn’s disease (CD), which can span the length of the digestive tract.
A 2023 study from Hungary involving 41 participants (nine with CD, 13 with UC, and 19 controls with neither disease) reported that colon cleansing dramatically altered the composition of bacteria in stool—increasingClostridiodes difficilethat contributes to bowel inflammation while decreasingBifidobacteriumwhich isprobioticand contributes to normal digestion.
As such, colonics might actually increase the risk of IBD flare-ups rather than reduce them. More research is needed.
How a Colonic Is Done
Licensure is not currently required in the United States, although some states are considering it given that the procedure is more invasive than massage therapy or even physical therapy.
What to Expect
A typical session lasts 45 minutes to one hour. Prior to the procedure, you will be given a short medical assessment and asked to sign a document stating that you understand the risks associated with colon hydrotherapy.
You will then be asked to undress completely, change into a gown, and lie on a treatment table. A colonic is often performed while lying on your side, but some treatment tables allow you to remain on your back.
The therapist may lightly massage your belly to encourage water into parts of the colon. The procedure may cause some pressure or discomfort but usually no pain. You do not smell anything while undergoing a colonic.
After the Colonic
Because a colonic can cause dehydration, avoid caffeine and alcohol for several days until your normal fluid balance is restored. Both of these a diuretics that promote urination.
Alow-residue dietis also recommended to give your digestive system a chance to rest. This includes eating softer foods like applesauce, mashed potatoes, white rice, and chicken and avoiding harder-to-digest foods like raw vegetables, red meat, nuts, and whole grains.
Side Effects and Dangers of Colonics
When you undergo a colonic, the flushing of tissues with water alters the natural balance of fluids between tissues (referred to asosmosis). The change in osmotic pressure not only draws water out of intestinal tissues, promotingdehydration, but also essential minerals calledelectrolytesthat regulate bodily functions, including muscle contractions and blood pressure.
This can lead to common, short-term side effects like:
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
More concerning are the potential harms that can occur with the excessive or long-term uses of colon hydrotherapy. This is because the procedure involves a larger volume of fluid than is used in medical practice, often as much as 60 liters (15 gallons) over 60 minutes.
This can lead to potentially serious and even life-threatening complications like:
To better avoid such risk, check the qualifications and certification of any hydrotherapist you plan to use. Also, ask if the facility has records showing how often the machines are cleaned and serviced.
Who Should Avoid Colonics?
Colonic hydrotherapy is discouraged in people with certain health conditions. Chief among these are conditions that cause intestinal bleeding or inflammation.
Avoid colonics if you have:
People who are pregnant should not have a colonic as it may stimulate uterine contractions.
Summary
A colon cleanse is a popular health trend that offers no confirmed benefits for detoxifying your body or supporting overall wellness. Using colonics involves flushing the colon with liquid. This process can actually put you at risk for dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. For some people, colonics can be especially dangerous.
If you’re interested in improving your health, talk to your healthcare provider about lifestyle and dietary changes that are proven to be effective.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Journal of Lancaster General Hospital.Colon cleansing: Medical breakthrough or myth?Summer 2014.
Cedars Sinai Medical Center.Ask a doc: are colon cleanses healthy?
Mathias M.Autointoxication and historical precursors of the microbiome–gut–brain axis.Microb Ecol Health Dis.2018;29(2):1548249. doi:10.1080/16512235.2018.1548249
Bazzocchi G, Giuberti R.Irrigation, lavage, colonic hydrotherapy: from beauty center to clinic?Tech Coloproctol. 2017;21(1):1-4. doi:10.1007/s10151-016-1576-6
Chey WD, Kurlander J, Eswaran S.Irritable bowel syndrome: a clinical review.JAMA. 2015;313(9):949-958. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.0954.
Hsu HH, Leung WH, Hu GC.Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with a novel colonic irrigation system: a pilot study.Tech Coloproctol.2016 Aug;20(8):551-7. doi:10.1007/s10151-016-1491-x
National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (Canada).Adverse effects after medical, commercial, or self-administered colon cleansing procedures.
American College of Gastroenterology.Inflammatory bowel disease: basics.
Bacsur P, Rutka M, Asboth A, et al.Effects of bowel cleansing on the composition of the gut microbiota in inflammatory bowel disease patients and healthy control.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2023 Jun 6:16:17562848231174298
National Board of Colon Hydro Therapy.NBCHT - who we are.
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