“When it comes to taking/receiving/seeing advice on social media... You should always take it with a grain of salt.” — Christine (@myibslife)

Welcome back to  Bathroom Break -- The best IBS podcast on the internet! ;)

Today, Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang) and Christine (@myibslife) are here to discuss the question... Is social media the best place for IBS advice?

And to be completely honest... The answer is complicated.

As with most things in life, there are both pros and cons about the uprise in discussions about Irritable Bowel Syndrome on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter and all social platforms.

Pros:
- Social media allows creators to build communities for those who suffer with IBS and chronic illnesses/conditions
- Social media has given people with IBS a space to talk about their experiences and  raise awareness about Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Social media creates a place for IBS patients to feel heard, understood and validated
- Social media DOES give people (including licensed healthcare professionals) the opportunity to share helpful advice on how to cope with and manage IBS symptoms

Cons:
- Social media allows anyone to call themselves a "gut health expert" or "health coach" with zero to minimal medical background
- Social media has given people a space to share advice that might not stem from a credible source and may not be true
- Social media creates a place for influencers to advertise supplements, medicines or  "treatments" that may not be effective, but will promote it to receive money from a brand
- Social media DOES give trolls a chance to tell you that an "All Raw Meat Diet" will cure your IBS

In summary, social media can be a GREAT place for people struggling with IBS to find new Low FODMAP recipes, discover new products to help manage symptoms, laugh at dank IBS memes from @myibslife and @glutenfreestreetgang & meet others who know exactly what you're going through! Just always be cautious of who you're following, take advice only from credible sources and ALWAYS ask your doctor before taking any new supplements or medications!

We're all in this crazy sh*t together, ya'll -- Stay safe out there!

A few breakout quotes from this episode include:

“The beautiful thing about social media is that everyone has a voice! The problem with social media is… Everyone has a voice.” - Christine (@myibslife)

“And they're not afraid to use it.” - Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang)

“Just because someone on TikTok with half a million followers is saying something is true… Does not make it true.” - Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang)

“'Health Coaches' gotta go… It's 2023” - Christine (@myibslife)

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Talk soon, friends!