Even astronauts get constipated in space

What’s Happening

Okay so NASA packed laxatives on Artemis II for a reason.

The post Even astronauts get constipated in space appeared first on Popular Science. Science Space NASA Even astronauts get constipated in space NASA packed laxatives on Artemis II for a reason. (shocking, we know)

By Andrew Paul Published Apr 9, 2026 2:29 PM EDT Add Popular Science (opens in a new tab) Adding us as a Preferred Source in Google link indicates that you would like to see more of our content in Google News results.

The Details

The same Dulcolax you buy at the pharmacy is the same Dulcolax traveling aboard the Artemis II mission. Credit: NASA / Popular Science Get the Popular Science daily 💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week.

Travel is notoriously hard on your digestion . Jet lag, dehydration, stress, and even slight disruptions to a regular meal schedule can result in unpleasant bathroom difficulties .

Why This Matters

But the next time you’re struggling with toilet troubles away from home, try to remember: At least you’re not dealing with it in outer space . “I was thinking about how even on Earth, travel is one of the biggest constipation triggers,” Sarah Jane Bunger tells Popular Science . “[It’s] always going to make this immaculate storm of constipation while on Earth.

Scientists and researchers are watching this development closely.

Key Takeaways

• So it’s only going to be more and more exacerbated once you go outside Earth.
• ” It’s Bunger’s job to think about these things.

The Bottom Line

It was a lovely surprise for us that we were included,” she says of Dulcolax’s inclusion in NASA’s official Formulary and First Aid Kit . Supplements like Dulcolax—specifically bisacodyl—are included on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medications , something keenly monitored by NASA’s medical team.

How do you feel about this development?