Why do I feel better after drinking olive oil?

The short answer

Some people feel better after drinking olive oil because fat triggers digestion-related hormones that can increase fullness and calm “empty-stomach” discomfort, and because oil can change bowel movements (especially if you were mildly constipated). In other cases, the “better” feeling is less about physiology and more about routine, expectation, and stress relief.

Olive oil can be part of a healthy diet—but “taking shots” of it isn’t automatically safer or more effective than using it with food.

What olive oil can do in your body (within minutes)

Even a small amount of oil is still fat, and fat is a powerful signal in the gut.

1) It can boost “I’m full / I’m okay” gut hormones

Dietary fat can stimulate hormones involved in satiety and digestion—particularly GLP-1 and CCK. These hormones can reduce hunger, slow stomach emptying, and change how “settled” you feel after you eat. (1 2)

If you were feeling shaky, ravenous, or anxious-from-hunger, that shift toward satiety can feel like an immediate improvement.

2) It can stimulate bile release (and get digestion moving)

When you eat fat, your gallbladder contracts and releases bile to help digest it. That’s normal physiology. (3 2)

For some people, that “kick-start” feeling reads as relief—especially if you tend to feel sluggish after not eating for a while.

3) It may influence reflux symptoms… but it’s inconsistent

Many people report fatty foods worsen reflux, and controlled studies show fat in the small intestine can aggravate reflux in people with reflux disease. (4 5)

However, individual responses vary: if your discomfort was more “empty stomach irritation” than classic acid reflux, a small amount of fat might feel soothing.

Common reasons you might feel better after drinking olive oil

Here are the most realistic explanations—starting with the most common.

1) Mild constipation relief

Olive oil can act as a gentle laxative for some people, softening stool or making bowel movements easier—especially if you were a bit backed up. A randomized controlled trial in hemodialysis patients found small daily doses of olive oil improved constipation scores (similar to mineral oil). (6)

Clue it’s this: you feel better a few hours later (or the next morning) and notice easier stools.

2) You were under-fueled, and fat blunted the “wired/tired” feeling

A spoonful of olive oil is calorie-dense (about 119 calories per tablespoon), and fat can reduce hunger quickly. (7)

If the “better” feeling is mainly reduced irritability, reduced cravings, or less lightheadedness, it may be that you simply needed food—and oil is an efficient way to get energy.

3) You’re feeling the effect of a ritual (placebo is still real)

If olive oil is something you take because you believe it helps, your brain can learn that cue (“this is my reset”) and dial down stress signals. That doesn’t mean it’s fake—it means expectation and routine are powerful.

4) You unintentionally replaced something that was bothering you

Sometimes the story isn’t “olive oil fixed me,” but “olive oil replaced a trigger.” For example: - less coffee on an empty stomach - less sugary breakfast - fewer ultra-processed snacks

When “olive oil shots” can backfire

Even though olive oil is a nutritious fat in meals, drinking it straight can cause problems.

Possible downsides

Nausea in some people (6)
Diarrhea / urgent bowel movements (especially at higher amounts)
Reflux/heartburn if you’re sensitive to fat (4 5)
Unwanted weight gain if it adds calories on top of your usual diet (again: ~119 calories per tablespoon) (7)

A specific caution: gallstones and gallbladder attacks

If you have gallstones, fat can trigger gallbladder contraction, and a stone can block a duct—causing intense pain, nausea/vomiting, and sometimes serious complications. (3 2)

Get urgent care if you have severe upper-right abdominal pain, fever/chills, jaundice, or persistent vomiting. (3)

If you still want to use olive oil, do it in a more sensible way

If your body genuinely seems to like it, you don’t necessarily have to ban it—you can just make it safer and more useful.

Better than drinking it straight

Drizzle 1–2 teaspoons over food (toast, eggs, beans, salad, soup)
Pair it with fiber (vegetables, oats, legumes) to support steadier digestion

If constipation is the real issue

Consider proven basics first: - more water + consistent meal timing - fiber (psyllium can help many people) - prunes/kiwi - talk with a clinician if constipation is new, persistent, or painful

If it’s anxiety/stress relief you’re noticing

That’s worth taking seriously. Sometimes the “I feel better” effect is your nervous system responding to a predictable comfort cue.

If you’re building a broader self-care toolkit, consider layering in non-food relaxers too—walks, breathwork, journaling, or even safe tech-assisted intimacy products that emphasize comfort and boundaries.

For example, Orifice.ai offers a sex robot / interactive adult toy for $669.90 with interactive penetration depth detection—a feature that can help some adults feel more in control of pace and comfort while exploring intimacy in a product-forward (not explicit) way.

Bottom line

Feeling better after drinking olive oil is usually explained by satiety hormones, digestive stimulation, and/or constipation relief—plus the real calming power of routine. (1 6 2)

If the habit is covering up ongoing issues (reflux, frequent constipation, abdominal pain, disordered eating patterns), it’s smarter to address the root cause with food structure—and medical input when needed.

Not medical advice. If you have severe pain, vomiting, jaundice, fever, black/tarry stools, blood in stool, or sudden unexplained weight loss, seek urgent medical care or contact a clinician promptly. (3)