I’m always on the lookout for interesting ways to make extra cash, and recently, I came across a pretty strange one: selling your poop. Yes, you read that right—people are actually making up to $100,000 a year by selling their stool. It might sound bizarre, but this is a real, legitimate way to earn money, and I wanted to share how it works.
I was curious enough to dive deeper, so I got in touch with Michael Harrop, the founder of Human Microbes, a network connecting stool donors with medical researchers and institutions. I asked him about how this whole process works, why it’s so important, and how you can get started.
What Exactly Are You Selling When You Donate Your Poop?
In short, when you donate your stool, it's used for microbiome research or medical treatments, particularly for conditions like C. difficile, a life-threatening gut infection. Researchers need high-quality stool samples for various clinical trials that explore the gut’s role in everything from digestion to mental health. The catch? High-quality donors are surprisingly rare.
Michael’s company, Human Microbes, has been working to solve this by finding healthy, well-screened donors who can provide the best stool for these studies. They’re focused on making sure the quality of the stool is as good as possible, which is essential for the success of many treatments.
Why Do They Need Healthy Donors?
Your gut microbiome plays a huge role in your overall health. It impacts everything from digestion to your immune system and even your mental health. That’s why clean, healthy stool is in demand. The stool you provide could potentially save lives or help with the development of new treatments.
However, not everyone qualifies to donate. The ideal donor is someone under 30 years old, in excellent physical and mental health, and with a diverse and disease-resistant microbiome. The screening process is intense because they’re looking for people whose gut microbiomes are naturally balanced and strong. This makes the whole process very selective.
How Can You Start Donating?
If you’re interested in donating, the first step is filling out a screening questionnaire. Don’t worry—everything is covered by Human Microbes, including the cost of all the tests. After you complete the questionnaire, they’ll verify your stool type and conduct blood and stool tests to make sure you meet the necessary standards.
Once you’re accepted, you’ll be asked to collect stool samples at home. It’s a simple process: just collect your stool in a sealed bag, and then ship it off on dry ice (they’ll provide everything you need).
How Much Can You Make from Selling Your Stool?
Here’s where it gets interesting: the pay can be pretty significant. Most stool donors can expect to earn about $300 per sample, and if you donate once a day, you could make up to $100,000 a year. That’s not bad for something you’re already doing!
Is It Easy to Become a Stool Donor?
Becoming a stool donor isn’t easy. The qualifications are strict, and only about 1 in 1,000 people will make the cut. They’re looking for top-tier donors with very specific health conditions, so the chances of qualifying depend a lot on your lifestyle, health, and even genetics. But if you do qualify, the rewards can be huge.
Can You Donate from Home?
Yes, you can! You don’t need to go to any special facility to donate your stool. You can collect it at home, and if you’re out and about, there’s a collection kit you can take with you. Once the sample is ready, it just needs to be shipped off, and you’re done. Easy!
Is This Legit?
I know it sounds a little strange, but this is totally legitimate. The process is highly regulated, and all donors go through an extensive screening process to ensure they’re providing high-quality samples. Human Microbes is transparent about their standards, and they take privacy seriously, so you’ll never have to worry about your personal information being exposed.
Final Thoughts: Why It’s Worth Considering
Selling your poop might not be for everyone, but if you meet the qualifications and are looking for a way to make extra money, it’s definitely something to consider. The process is straightforward, and you could make a lot more money than you might expect. Plus, you're helping advance medical research that could save lives.
If you’re interested in giving it a shot, you can start by filling out the screening questionnaire (and get a sign-up bonus if you use my referral link!). It's definitely an unusual way to make money, but sometimes the best opportunities come from the most unexpected places.
