Woman spends $2,700/year for her addiction to eating toilet paper
What's the story
Meet Kinah, a woman from Maryland, USA, with an unusual habit of eating toilet paper.
She was featured on the latest episode of TLC's My Strange Addiction: Still Addicted? and revealed, "I eat toilet paper from the second I get up in the morning."
Kinah eats her favorite snack wherever she is - "at work, in the car, and even at the nail salon."
TLC
Kinah eats up to 4 rolls a day
Per TLC, Kinah (real name Sakinah) consumes up to four rolls of toilet paper daily, which is "almost 14,000 lbs over the past 20 years."
This unique habit costs her around $2,700 annually, but she firmly believes it's worth every penny.
She says it's like "eating a PB and J (peanut butter and jelly sandwich) without the crust" and that she enjoys the "crunch."
Critics
Its taste and crunch 'makes her mouth water'
"Toilet paper is not meant for human consumption. It doesn't break down in your body. That shit's gross, man," her ex-fiancé Anthony tells the camera.
Kinah says that she gets a few "weird stares" and people even pull their phones out to record her.
But Kinah doesn't care about the critics, and says that the taste and crunch "makes her mouth water."
Pica
There's an explanation for her weird addiction - Pica
Kinah seems to have a strange eating disorder called pica.
It is a condition where one feels a strong and uncontrollable urge to eat non-food items.
These things can be strange, like dirt, soap, clay, ice, chalk, hair, and even toilet paper, just like Kina does.
Pica is more often seen in children, pregnant women, and people with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
Causes
What causes it?
The exact cause of pica is not completely known, but it's likely a mix of physiological, psychological, social, and cultural factors.
One reason could be a lack of important nutrients which makes the body crave non-food items.
Sometimes, being exposed to harmful substances like lead can also increase the chances of developing pica.
Researchers are still studying the factors to understand this condition better.
Safety
Is it safe to eat toilet paper?
No, definitely not safe!
It's not meant to be eaten, and doing so can cause serious problems.
Toilet paper is made from wood pulp and various chemicals that are used to strengthen and soften the paper.
Consuming it in large quantities can potentially cause blockages in the digestive system, leading to abdominal pain, constipation, or even more severe issues that may require medical attention.