In Season 4 of TLC’s relatively new show, My Strange Addiction, viewers were introduced to Mike and Trina; a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida who spends about five hours each day giving themselves coffee enemas.
The couple tells the show’s producer that their caffeine-to-colon addiction began two years ago after Trina had a series of health issues—including stomach problems.
"I had a lot of stomach problems, digestive problems with my kidney and my liver," she said. "I started research and it led into coffee enemas and I really started to feel the benefit. I felt like I was living for the first time in years."
Mike admits that when his wife originally told him about her new brew-in-the-bottom debacle he thought “Oh my God, how disgusting”, but after that first ride, Mike jumped on the Downtown-Espresso-Express and claims “ I've been addicted ever since”.
With the almost instant feeling of euphoria (due to the caffeine’s quick and easy access into the blood stream through the colon) and their belief that they’re much healthier the couple find justification for their addiction.
So how exactly do Mike and Trina get their coffee from bag to bum? Well, according to the show the couple fills a 32 ounce bucket, and with the help of a Vaseline coasted hose, coffee is served- to the lower intestine.
Although the couple won’t drink coffee, because “it’s not healthy, and stains your teeth” like most coffee snobs Mike and Trina have their personal preference of coffee brew and feel. “I prefer a blend that’s thick and at room temperature. I like it warm” Trina shares. Mike, on the other hand, enjoys a cool brewed espresso blend.
Mike and Trina give themselves coffee enemas four times a day.
So what does one do while filling ones lower intestines with their favorite brewed blend? Trina enjoys listening to music, catching up on her favorite television shows, tweeting, and playing Sudoku. Mike is more about the business. He says that it can be a tricky thing if you don't know what you’re doing, "I make a quick transition from the floor to the toilet" he says, "It comes flying out like a torrent."
The couple average at least 100 coffee enemas a month, 6,000 in all since their addiction began two years ago. In her interview with ABC News, Trina shares how at the height of her addiction she administered 9 or 10 coffee enemas within a twenty-four hour period. Her husband Mike was even surprised by her confession.
Although you’d think a coffee enema addiction couldn't actually be something to be considered serious enough to ruin one’s life Mike and Trina are so addicted that they refuse to go on vacations or even leave the house but for a brief time. Fortunately for this colon caffeinated couple they both work from home.
Mikes mother, Jan thinks that their addiction “is kinda gross”, and also fears for their health, as the caffeine can cause dehydration and even tear away at the lining of the rectum.
Dr. Roshini Rajapaksa, assistant professor of medicine and a gastroenterologist at NYU Medical Center, said she would never recommend coffee enemas. "There's a down side and really no up side to it," she said.
Sometimes known as Gerson therapy, coffee enemas and other cleansing rituals purport to improve health and even fight cancer, claims that are false, according to Rajapaksa.
"They claim it's a way of detoxifying and might even be an alternative to cancer treatment," she said. "There is definitely no evidence and I would hate for someone to forego [proven medical] treatment." -Source: ABCNews
Despite Jan’s fear for her son and her daughter in law and the possibilities of health risks like dehydration, high blood pressure, heart attack and more, the couple has no plans for making a last call anytime soon.
When asked if they would quit? "Not a chance," said Mike.
"We can't live without them," echoed Trina.
In spite of Trina’s claims of research there have been no medical studies to date that confirm any benefits from coffee enemas. As far as any possible devastation being wreaked in the couple’s colons-- they don't know, because Mike and Trina have not seen a doctor since the addiction began nearly two years ago.
Watch the entire episode, on My Strange Addiction: Coffee Enemas Here
What do you think about this story? It this really a story about a strange addiction or is this a story about the addictive nature of coffee? Is this a story about the power that addiction can have over us (regardless of the kind of addiction) or is about how easily we allow ourselves to recklessly believe that something is good, only because we want it to be good?
Please share your opinion in the comment box below.
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