Okay, so you want to know how to get paid to poop? Yeah, it sounds weird, but in today’s gig economy, people are finding income streams in the most unexpected places.
Believe it or not, donating your stool is a real thing, and it serves a valuable purpose. Fecal matter is used in fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) to help restore healthy gut bacteria in people with certain medical conditions. It’s also valuable for microbiome research.
So, how can you turn your number twos into dollars? We’ll look at the organizations that pay for stool donations, how much you can earn, and what it takes to become a donor. Let’s dive in!
The science behind the stool: Why your poop is valuable
Okay, so why would anyone pay for your poop? It all comes down to what scientists are learning about your gut microbiome – the trillions of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms that live in your digestive tract. Your gut microbiome plays a huge role in your overall health.
That’s where Fecal Microbiota Transplants (FMT) come in. In an FMT, stool from a healthy donor is transplanted into a recipient’s gut. FMT is already used to treat stubborn C. difficile infections, and it’s showing promise for digestive illnesses like IBS and Crohn’s disease. And, as chronic diseases become more common, FMT may be able to help. That’s why high-quality stool donors are in demand for both FMT procedures and for microbiome research.
Organizations That Pay for Poop: A Breakdown
Believe it or not, several organizations are willing to pay you for your… um… contributions. Here’s a look at some of the players in the stool donation game:
GoodNature Program
The GoodNature Program aims to collect high-quality stool samples for research and therapeutic purposes. They’re pretty generous, offering up to $1,500 per month to qualified donors.
Before you get too excited, be aware that GoodNature has a rigorous health screening process. Potential donors must meet strict criteria to ensure the quality and safety of their samples.
Human Microbes
Human Microbes is another organization that compensates people for stool donations. They claim to offer up to $500 per sample, which is nothing to sneeze at.
However, like GoodNature, Human Microbes has very specific donor requirements. They estimate that less than 0.1% of the population meets their criteria, so the odds of becoming a donor are pretty slim.
OpenBiome (and the Current Landscape)
You may have heard of OpenBiome, which used to be a major player in the stool donation space. Unfortunately, their donor program has closed.
The world of stool donation programs is constantly changing, so it’s a good idea to check for the latest information on who’s accepting donations and what their requirements are.
How much can you really earn?
So, you’re probably wondering if you can actually make real money doing this, right? Well, here’s the scoop.
At HumanMicrobes, you can earn up to $500 per sample. GoodNature will pay up to $1,500 a month. And a U.S. study in 2024 paid participants up to $300, plus bonuses.
Your earning potential depends on a few factors: how often you donate, the specific requirements of the program, and of course, your individual health. Not everyone qualifies, and each program has its own criteria.
But if you have the right stuff (literally!), you could pad your bank account while helping advance medical research. Who knew your microbiome could be so valuable?
The stool donor application process: What to expect
So you’re ready to become a professional pooper? Here’s how the process typically works:
- Initial screening questionnaire: You’ll start by filling out a detailed health questionnaire. Be honest! They need to know about your medical history, diet, lifestyle, and any medications you’re taking.
- Medical evaluations and testing: If you pass the initial screening, you’ll undergo stool and blood testing. They’re looking for all sorts of things, from parasites to infections to general gut health markers.
- Meeting specific health criteria: Not just anyone can donate. Ideal donors are usually under 30, haven’t used antibiotics much (or at all), and have a very specific type of stool (yes, there’s a chart for that!).
- Video interview: Some programs may also require a video interview. This is likely to assess your personality, reliability, and commitment to the program.
It’s a rigorous process, but for good reason. They want only the healthiest, most beneficial stool for their recipients. So, if you’re serious about getting paid to poop, be prepared to jump through a few hoops (or, ahem, sit on a few stools).
The poop logistics: Collection to shipment
Okay, so you’ve decided you want to get paid for your poop. Here’s what the donation process is like.
The instructions from most places are simple: You collect your stool sample directly into a zip-lock bag. That part’s straightforward.
But then it gets a little more complicated. Because the samples must be kept cold, they’re typically shipped on dry ice. The company you’re working with will likely send you a whole kit of supplies, including the cooler, ice, and instructions on how to pack everything up so your precious cargo arrives safely.
Of course, the whole thing is inherently awkward. Talking about poop is weird enough, but handling it, packing it, and shipping it? It’s a unique experience, to say the least.
The odd realities and potential challenges of donating
Let’s be honest. There’s a potential for awkwardness here. As one stool donor manager said in a recent article, “We’re really embracing the awkwardness of this. It’s uncomfortable to speak about poop—just saying poop sometimes is awkward, it’s funny, but it’s helpful here.”
It can also be logistically challenging to maintain a consistent donation schedule. After all, you can’t exactly schedule when you’re going to poop.
Finally, stool donors remain completely anonymous to recipients. You won’t get to meet the person you’re helping.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get $500 for a stool sample?
The opportunity to earn up to $500 for a stool sample typically comes from participating in research studies or donating to stool banks that support fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). These organizations need healthy stool to treat various medical conditions.
How to qualify to be a stool donor
Qualifying as a stool donor is a rigorous process. First, you’ll need to be between 18 and 50 years old and generally healthy. You’ll then undergo a thorough medical screening, including blood tests and a detailed review of your medical history, to ensure you don’t have any infections, gastrointestinal disorders, or risk factors that could compromise the safety of the transplant. Even if you appear healthy, the screening process is designed to catch any potential issues. Finally, you must consistently produce high-quality samples according to the stool bank’s requirements.
In Summary
Who knew that one day you might be able to get paid for your poop? Becoming a stool donor offers financial compensation, and it gives you the chance to help advance medical research.
But it’s not as simple as dropping off a sample. Getting accepted as a donor can be challenging because of the:
- stringent screening process
- logistical requirements
- and, let’s face it, the inherent awkwardness of talking about poop!
If you’re interested in this opportunity, do your homework first. Find out whether you meet a donation center’s criteria, and learn more about the impact your donation could have. After all, gut health research is vital to understanding and treating a wide range of conditions.