The power of poop

I can't make this stuff up. 

Freakonomics -- the books, the blog, the podcast -- is often the source of enlightenment for me but this "Power of Poop" episode hit a new high for me. The topic: fecal transplants, and how they can be used to fight diseases like multiple sclerosis. 

I usually don't give these kinds of medical-miracle stories much credence and this topic is certainly high on the gross factor, but being close to someone with MS can make you set that skepticism aside. And the Freakonomics guys do a nice job of addressing the expected listener reaction with a nice dose of humor.

There's still no rigorous research that proves without a doubt this crazy medical treatment works, but given Dr. Thomas Borod's success in treating a variety of patients and ailments, the effectiveness of fecal transplants are certainly worth more research.

Brody has experienced backlash from fellow doctors for his work, but he takes it in stride, saying skeptics decried the research that led to the pasteurization of milk and treatment of smallpox.

" ... even now my colleagues would avoid talking about this or meeting me at conferences, although this is changing, "Borod told Freakonimics. "I’ve just had an invitation to speak at an international conference about fecal transplantation, that’s state of the art. So I think we might be turning a new leaf, and I think we should, with poo especially."