It's a first-of-its-kind capsule about is the size of a regular pill — but instead of releasing medication after it's swallowed, it vibrates to stimulate the colon.
The pills stimulate specialized nerve cells in the gut called mechanosensory cells. These help trigger peristalsis, the undulating muscle contractions that help squeeze food through the gut. The company also had to show that the capsules didn't pose certain risks, such as causing infections, irritating tissues, interfering with other electronic devices, getting stuck or not working at all.
About 40% of the group taking the Vibrant pills reported having at least one additional bowel movement a week, compared with about 23% of the placebo group. They also reported softer stools and less bloating. "One of the important side effects that it does not have is diarrhea, as a lot of the prescription drugs can lead to diarrhea," Quigley noted.
Benwah pills!?!