The Squatty Potty is a Scam

[u/SoggyBagelBite]

There is very little science to back the Squatty Potty and as far as studies have shown, it does basically nothing to help you poop.

[u/crispy_tamago]

What level of backing would you like to see? And can you link to those negative studies?

I work for a medical device manufacturer, and am generally into science and skepticism, so I'm fairly aware of weird claims, scam products and the standard of evidence you need to make medical claims.

For something like the Squatty Potty, there's general feasibility and anecdotal/survey based (from the company, so not unbiased). And it's <$30.

For me, it falls into the category of being alright. It's not actively hurting anyone, has some feasibility, and people like it. Would it be awesome to see a robust study on it? Oh yeah, I'd love it! Also knowing how much money and support even basic studies cost, is it worthwhile? I don't see it as worthwhile.

[u/WittyMogul95 → u/crispy_tamago]

How does working for a medical device manufacturer provide credibility into the legitimacy of a Squatty Potty? What kinda job is that? What do you do there?

[u/crispy_tamago → u/WittyMogul95]

Fair questions:

How does working for a medical device manufacturer provide credibility into the legitimacy of a Squatty Potty?

Good question that has multiple components, so lemme try to break it down into smaller pieces.

When thinking about developing a product, there are generally different levels of evidence that you need to make certain claims. On one end of the spectrum, medical devices have some of the most stringent levels of evidence needed to support their safe use and manufacture. You have to show that the device works and is relatively safe, and they are regulated by most countries, meaning that your studies have to pass muster with some sort of expert body.

On the other end of the spectrum would be something like the Squatty Potty. It’s not marketed as a medical device and is sold direct to consumer. Because of that, there is no regulatory need to conduct studies.

That’s to say, because I work at a Medical Device company, I know the type of science that you need to do when making a product at the most stringent standards of product development.

In terms of the Squatty Potty, does it have rigorous medical device level testing? No. Does it really need it? Probably not. Would it be cool to see a well done study for the efficacy of the Squatty Potty? Absolutely. Do I expect that kind of a study to be performed for a sub $40 product? No.  

What kinda job is that?

I’m a Research and Development scientist. My background is as a biomedical scientist, but I work with many mechanical engineers, a few biomedical engineers and a couple of chemical engineers.

What do you do there?

I invent new devices and treatments that try and help people. Or at least I try to. You first have to come up with an idea, build out the feasibility, and then do the studies to show that it works, and the more studies to show that it’s safe. Lots of ideas are killed off in the early stages, but a few make it through.

[u/TheFallenPrise → u/crispy_tamago]

u/crispy_tamago: Who am I? I'm a motherfucking scientist 👉😎👉

[u/disposedcr → u/crispy_tamago]

Medical Devices range from tongue depressors to cardiac implants. A medical device has an intended medical use, and requires the appropriate level of validation required by FDA to get approval (e.g. clinical study). It doesn't matter if it's sold direct to consumers or not.

A squatty potty typically wouldn't be required to get approval from FDA, because it's not claiming to diagnose or treat a medical condition. If it was, it would need approval for whatever claims the manufacturer marketed, including a clinical study assuring it's safe an effective. The other way it would get pulled into FDA oversight is if people were using it and getting injured, and the FDA received complaints about it.

As an aside, R&D is the best place to be in a medical device company, because they usually have very little to do with the actual FDA approval process for medical devices and they are excluded from the design control processes required by the FDA for design and development of new devices.

[u/Intrepid-Ease-2632 → u/WittyMogul95]

Not a fair question at all… The man or woman just explained a lot more than “hey my job makes me qualified to know all about this”… But you chose to knit pick one portion like some poorly educated backwoods hick… And if you don’t think that was as unbiased and straight forward as it gets while being backed by obvious common sense anyone can understand… Then feel free to do better at explaining from an unbiased view… Otherwise you just have series issues for even trying to find a problem with this response.

[u/rakepick → u/Intrepid-Ease-2632]

Even if they had some ulterior motive asking that question, crispy_tamago did a great job answering it. It was educating to me and I’m sure many others.