If you’re looking for a unique side hustle, learning how to get paid to poop might be the answer. It sounds weird, but it’s a real thing! It’s called stool donation and it helps treat life-threatening infections and supports medical research.
If you’re healthy and meet the requirements, you could earn $500–$1,500 per month or more by donating stool regularly.
If you’re curious about this unique side hustle, this guide will walk you through the process, eligibility criteria, and how to get started.
What You Need to Know
Before donating stool, it’s important to understand the basics of how it works and why companies are willing to pay people for literal poop.
What It Is: Stool donation involves providing your fecal matter for medical research or fecal microbiota transplants (FMT), a procedure used to treat severe gut infections.
Who It Helps: FMT is primarily used to treat recurring C. diff infections, which can be life-threatening. Research also explores the use of healthy gut bacteria for conditions like Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and even mental health disorders.
How It Works: You’ll provide stool samples that are collected, tested, and processed for transplantation or research purposes. Donations are usually made multiple times per week.
Who Is Eligible: Healthy individuals between 18 and 50 years old with regular bowel movements and no history of major gastrointestinal conditions are typically eligible.
How Much You Can Earn: Compensation varies but can range from $40 to $100 per sample, with frequent donors earning $500–$1,500 per month.
How to Get Paid to Poop
Starting with stool donation requires finding a reputable program and meeting their health requirements. Let’s walk through the steps together.
Find a Stool Donation Program
First, you’ll need to look for organizations that accept stool donations. Some well-known options include:
- Human Microbes: This company pays up to $500 per stool. They claim that you can earn up to $180,000 a year if you have a bowel movement every day. Highly effective donors could get paid up to $1 million per poop if they meet the right criteria. (if you qualify, make sure to let them know Nicole from Low Income Relief referred you!)
- GoodNature: This company pays up to $1,500 per month for stool donations. You will need to make 8-10 donations before they can determine if you are eligible to be a daily donor.
Visit their websites to learn about their specific requirements, compensation, and how to apply.
Confirm Your Eligibility
Stool donation programs have strict health criteria to ensure the safety and efficacy of their treatments. Although the requirements can vary depending on which company you’re working with, you’ll find that the typical requirements include:
- Being between 18 and 50 years old.
- Having a BMI in a healthy range.
- No history of gastrointestinal disorders, infectious diseases, or major chronic conditions.
- Regular, healthy bowel movements.
Complete the Screening Process
The application process often involves:
- A detailed health questionnaire.
- Medical and lifestyle screenings to confirm you’re a good fit.
- Blood and stool testing to rule out infections or conditions that could affect the quality of the sample.
The screening process can take a few weeks, so it’s important to be patient during the process.
Start Donating Regularly
Once you’re accepted into a program, you’ll begin providing stool samples. These programs often encourage eligible people to become daily donors, which also increases your revenue opportunities.
Here’s what to expect:
- Frequency: Most programs require multiple donations per week, either on-site or in a sterile collection kit provided by the organization.
- Logistics: Some programs allow local drop-offs, while others provide shipping kits for remote donors.
- Monitoring: Regular health check-ins may be required to ensure you remain eligible.
Get Paid & Repeat
Stool donation can provide a steady stream of income for healthy individuals. Compensation typically ranges from $40 to $100 per sample, and frequent donors can earn $500–$1,500 per month or more.
Many programs encourage repeat donations, so if you remain healthy and meet the requirements, you can continue to earn money while helping others
The Pros & Cons of Donating Poop
Stool donation is a strange and unique side hustle that offers significant financial rewards, but it’s not without its challenges. Here are the key pros and cons to consider before you decide to pursue this.
The benefits are fairly obvious:
- High Earnings: Regular donors can earn between $500 and $1,500 per month, with some programs paying up to $180,000 per year.
- Minimal Effort: The process is simple, often involving at-home collection kits or convenient drop-offs, making it easy to fit into your schedule.
- Flexibility: Many programs allow frequent donations, providing a steady source of income for those who meet the requirements.
- Good Deed: Stool donations save lives by treating life-threatening conditions like C. diff infections and advancing research into gut health and microbiome-related diseases.
The earnings are obviously the biggest draw for most participants.
Reddit user Yolobabyshark247 had an experience with a different poop donation program. They wrote, “I had a baby that was paid 275$ for 15 poops. He had to not eat regular food yet and they gave him different baby food to see how the bacteria would grow in his stool samples.”
On the other hand, there are some definite drawbacks.
- Strict Eligibility Requirements: Many people are disqualified due to health or lifestyle factors, including gastrointestinal conditions, irregular bowel movements, or certain medical histories.
- Awkwardness: The idea of donating stool may feel uncomfortable or embarrassing for some people, even though it’s a legitimate and impactful medical contribution.
- Social Stigma: Stool donation isn’t as widely understood or accepted as other forms of donation, which can make it feel less socially acceptable to discuss.
- Limited Availability: Not all areas have stool donation programs, which may limit opportunities unless remote donation options are available.
Relief Recap
Donating poop is a unique and meaningful way to earn extra cash while contributing to life-saving treatments and research. With compensation ranging from $500 to $1,500 per month, it’s an opportunity worth considering for those who qualify.
If stool donation isn’t the right fit for you, consider these other things you can donate for money. Don’t forget to check out Easy Ways to Get Extra Cash for more income opportunities.
