These are independent reviews of the products mentioned, but TIME receives a commission when purchases are made through affiliate links at no additional cost to the purchaser.

Traditional constipation medications often come with unpleasant side effects like diarrhea, nausea, and headaches, says Dr. Satish Rao, scientific advisor to Vibrant Gastro. That’s not the case with the company’s Vibrant System—a prescription, non-pharmacological capsule programmed to vibrate eight to 10 hours after ingestion, when it reaches the large intestine. The vibrations stimulate nerve cells involved in peristalsis, the process that pushes food through the digestive system. When the capsule’s work is done, it passes through the patient and is flushed away. Nearly 40% of people who received the capsule in a Vibrant clinical study reported one or more additional bowel movements per week compared to their baseline.

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com.

Hydration Made Fun
A Modern Flip Phone
A Saliva Pregnancy Test
More Than a Fast Car
A Breakthrough Bassinet
EDIT POST