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Why does smoking seem to work as a mild laxative?

Dr. Aris Thorne
Dr. Aris Thorne
Senior Science Editor · Mar 30, 2026 · Updated Apr 13, 2026

My guess is that because the nicotine in cigarettes is a stimulant, it increases the rate at which your smooth muscles in your intestines move. This will push the bolus [ball of former food] through the intestine a bit quicker, resulting n getting to and out of the rectum quicker.

50
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1 min
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#304
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The Short Answer

My guess is that because the nicotine in cigarettes is a stimulant, it increases the rate at which your smooth muscles in your intestines move. This will push the bolus [ball of former food] through the intestine a bit quicker, resulting n getting to and out of the rectum quicker.

Analysis

Key Concepts: Quicker, guess, nicotine

This explanation focuses on quicker, guess, nicotine and spans 50 words across 2 sentences. At 31% below the average History explanation (72 words), the answer takes a direct, no-frills approach — sometimes the simplest explanation is the most effective.

What This Answer Covers

This is a focused, single-point answer that gets directly to the core of the question without detours.

How This Compares in History

Ranked #304 of 500 History questions by answer depth (top 62%). This is in the concise tier — a focused explanation that prioritizes clarity over exhaustiveness. Many readers prefer this level of directness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a simple explanation for why smoking seem to work as a mild laxative?

My guess is that because the nicotine in cigarettes is a stimulant, it increases the rate at which your smooth muscles in your intestines move. This will push the bolus [ball of former food] through the intestine a bit quicker, resulting n getting…

How detailed is this explanation compared to similar History questions?

This is a focused answer at 50 words, ranked #304 of 500 History questions by depth. The key concepts covered are quicker, guess, nicotine.

What approach does this answer take to explain smoking seem to work as a mild laxative?

The explanation uses root cause analysis across 50 words. It is categorized under History and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.