If you’ve recently been constipated or bloated—and you spend a lot of time on social media—you may have been tempted to try colon hydrotherapy. The trend, also known as colonic hydrotherapy, is making the rounds on platforms including TikTok, where many videos claim it can remove toxins from your colon, relieve constipation and bloating, and improve digestion. But are these claims true?

Gastroenterologists say there’s little scientific evidence on the subject. While some people might feel better after colon hydrotherapy, “the potential risks of the procedure greatly outweigh the benefits,” and it won’t address the root causes of any digestive problems, says Dr. Nikiya Asamoah, a gastroenterologist at MedStar Health in Washington, D.C. Here’s what to know about colon hydrotherapy, whether it offers any benefits, and the possible side effects. 

What is colon hydrotherapy?

Colon hydrotherapy is “what people have called a ‘colonic’ for decades,” says Dr. Sabine Hazan, a gastroenterologist and founder of ProgenaBiome, a company that offers tests related to the microbiome. It may also be referred to as a “colon irrigation” or “colon cleanse.” 

The procedure involves inserting a tube into the rectum and flushing the large intestines with large volumes of warm, filtered water over a 30- to 60-minute session, she says. 

Herbs, coffee, probiotics, or other substances are sometimes added to the water. Many practitioners believe these additions can enhance a colonic’s detoxifying capabilities. However, doctors say there’s no clinical evidence that incorporating herbs, coffee, or other substances offers any benefit—and they could be dangerous. 

The technician “may use controlled pressure and abdominal massage to help loosen and expel waste, which flows out through a separate tube in a closed, odor-free system,” Hazan explains. 

Colon hydrotherapy is often done in non-medical settings, such as specialized clinics or wellness spas. Asamoah says no medical guidelines recommend them for digestive health or general wellness. 

It differs from an enema, which uses less water and only reaches the lower part of the colon, Hazan says. Colonics can flush larger portions of the colon.

Are there any benefits of colon hydrotherapy? 

Colon cleansing isn’t new. It’s been around for generations, and so has the idea that flushing the colon can remove toxins and residue. Proponents of the practice often claim it can boost energy, improve digestion, reduce bloating, enhance the immune system, and aid weight loss, Hazan says. But there’s “no strong scientific evidence supporting these benefits for routine wellness use.”

Flushing the colon may release stool that hasn’t been cleared from your intestines, and may offer temporary relief from bloating or constipation for healthy people, Asamoah says. However, the effect would be similar to what happens when you take a laxative—nothing about the detox itself creates lasting physiological change, Hazan says. 

“Your liver, kidneys, and colon already efficiently eliminate waste and toxins naturally,” she says, and in healthy people, the colon typically doesn’t accumulate “harmful residue” that needs to be flushed out. 

Is colon hydrotherapy safe? What are the side effects?  

Many people have colon hydrotherapy without any problems, says Dr. Suneal Agarwal, an associate professor of gastroenterology at the Baylor College of Medicine. But side effects are possible. 

These might include cramping, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, or an irritated rectum, Hazan says, as well as dehydration or electrolyte imbalances, which can affect heart or kidney function. It may also worsen inflammation in your digestive system. Fainting is another side effect, Agarwal adds. 

Another risk is infection from non-sterile equipment, which might happen if the procedure is done by inexperienced technicians or in non-medical settings, Hazan says. In rare cases, Asamoah says a colon cleanse could puncture your bowel, which may cause a severe infection or even be life-threatening. 

Colon hydrotherapy may temporarily disrupt your gut microbiome or reduce its microbial diversity, Hazan says. “Ironically, this temporary imbalance can sometimes worsen bloating, gas, or irregular bowels shortly after the procedure.” However, the gut microbiome is “resilient” in most healthy people and will return to its baseline after a couple of weeks, she adds. 

Colonics involving coffee can be especially dangerous. Studies have shown that coffee enemas can cause inflammation of your colon’s lining (a condition called colitis) or your rectum (known as proctitis). Doctors say coffee colon cleanses could bring similar risks. 

People with inflammatory bowel disease or a history of bowel obstruction shouldn’t have colon hydrotherapy, Agarwal says. People with irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas, rectal bleeding, heart disease, or high blood pressure should also avoid the procedure, Hazan says. So should those with chronic kidney disease, a compromised immune system, or chronic constipation, Asamoah says. 

In general, no gastroenterology guidelines recommend colon hydrotherapy for digestive health, Asamoah says. Colon cleanses are typically recommended only to prepare for a colonoscopy or other medical procedure, under a doctor’s guidance. Hazan adds that colon hydrotherapy also isn’t recommended (or necessary) for general health, energy, or immune support. 

You should see a doctor instead

Ongoing and persistent bloating or other digestive troubles could be a sign of a health condition, Asamoah says. “A significant proportion of patients with gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating have some degree of constipation or incomplete bowel emptying.” 

However, if lifestyle modifications don’t improve your digestion, check in with your doctor instead of getting colon hydrotherapy, Asamoah says. Doctors will do blood work, discuss your diet and symptoms, and maybe perform an endoscopy or colonoscopy. (People at average risk for colon cancer should get a colonoscopy once they turn 45, state guidelines from the American Cancer Society.) 

Signs that you should see a doctor promptly include blood in your stool, unintentional weight loss, uncontrolled bloating, or persistent abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea, Asamoah says. 

Working with a doctor can identify the underlying cause of your problems and the best treatment, she says. Hazan adds that diet, exercise, and a professional medical evaluation “offer far safer, more effective paths for digestive concerns” than colon hydrotherapy. 

The bottom line is that while colon hydrotherapy is marketed in wellness spaces, there’s no scientific support that it can improve digestion or overall health, and it can bring “real risks,” Hazan says.

“Your body is already highly effective at maintaining a clean, balanced colon without invasive flushing,” she says. “If tempted by a colonic, consult your doctor first; they can guide you toward tailored, evidence-based solutions rather than trendy procedures that may do more harm than good.”