Is holding in your farts bad for you?

The question we've all wondered before but have never asked...

Mar 27, 2025

Hi Readers,

Let’s start this piece off with a riddle:

What’s silent, deadly, and something you’ve let loose before?

Do you know the answer? No?

If your answer was NO, then you’re lying… if it was YES, then kudos to you — I know I can trust you to fess up when it’s your time comes 👊

Let’s be honest — no one likes to talk about farts — until they do. Farts are taboo, awkward, and the stuff of middle school jokes, but society also never really actually grows out of the humorous role they play in reminding us that we’re all human. People cringe, and then they laugh.

Here’s another brain-stumper for you to solve this morning:

You know what your boss, local politician, and in-laws have in common?

Okay, this time I’ll give you the answer: they all fart — same as you.

So today, we’re lifting the lid on the question most people have always been wondering but never got around to Googling:

🙋‍♂️ Is holding in a fart actually bad for you?

What Even Is a Fart?

“Flatulence” is simply gas that builds up in your digestive system—mostly from swallowed air, digestion, and the breakdown of food by gut bacteria. You fart because that gas needs to go somewhere. On average, a person farts 14–23 times a day.

So… Can You Hold It In?

Drum roll… Yes, your body allows you to voluntarily hold in gas via the sphincter down low. But just because you can doesn’t always mean you should.

BUT, here’s what can happen if you don’t let it go:

1. It Causes Discomfort and Bloating 💨

When gas builds up and isn’t released, it stretches the intestines, creating pressure and bloating. This isn’t dangerous in most cases, but it can make you feel sluggish, crampy, or gassy for a handful of minutes to even a handful of hours.

If you’ve ever felt like your stomach turned into a balloon after holding in a fart during a meeting—this is why.

2. The Gas Gets Reabsorbed ♻️

Some of the trapped gas can be reabsorbed into your bloodstream and eventually exhaled through your lungs. In other words, if you don’t fart it out, you may… breathe it out. Weird, but true.

Specifically, methane and hydrogen can re-enter circulation and leave via exhalation. No, it doesn’t make your breath smell, but the science is fascinating.

3. Chronic Holding Might Mess With Your Gut

There’s no solid evidence that holding in a fart every now and then will do long-term damage. But habitually doing so may disrupt normal gas flow and motility, possibly contributing to digestive issues like diverticulitis or functional bloating.

Some researchers believe chronic retention could also cause strain of the pelvic floor, especially in people with pre-existing gut or bowel disorders.

4. You Can Fart in Your Sleep 🛌

Fun fact: If you hold it in long enough, your body might take care of things on its own. During sleep, your muscles relax — and yes, that includes your sphincter. So if you’ve ever woken up a little lighter… you now know why.

So, Is Holding It In Dangerous? ⏸️

Not really — but it’s not ideal either. It won’t cause permanent damage in healthy individuals, but it can lead to temporary discomfort, bloating, and even some weird internal gas routing. If you feel one coming and you’re in a safe, respectful space — let it out. Then run away. Even if you don’t run, your gut will thank you.