Doop Launches Crypto Rewards for Fecal Health Tracking in Fall Beta

Doop, an AI-powered health app that rewards users with cryptocurrency for uploading photos of their feces, is preparing for a public beta launch this fall. The app aims to transform the way individuals track their gut health by combining behavioral psychology, gamified design, and tokenized incentives. Users will be paid in POOP, a Solana-based token launched in July with a market cap of nearly $6 million. The app also plans to introduce a premium tier offering more detailed AI analysis for users seeking in-depth insights [1].

According to the app’s founder, Joe Zhou, the motivation behind Doop is to encourage continuous health monitoring by tracking bowel movements over time. Zhou argues that while most people only see a doctor a few times a year, daily tracking of bowel movements can reveal long-term patterns and health trends that are otherwise missed [1]. The AI agent within the app will analyze the photos and set personalized challenges to help users improve their gut health.

However, experts caution that a photo of one’s stool cannot replace a proper medical test. Nishtha Patel, a gut health specialist and award-winning nutritionist, explained that while stool images may offer "useful clues," they do not detect inflammation, infections, or gut microbiome imbalances. "For this, you need a proper stool test where a swab or full sample is sent to a laboratory," she said. Patel also urged users to consider how their data is stored and shared, emphasizing the importance of privacy and transparency [1].

Doop plans to monetize the data it collects once it reaches approximately 500,000 monthly active users. The dataset, which will be anonymized, will be sold to research institutions, insurance companies, and health supplement firms. The data will include lifestyle factors, personal identifiers such as sex, height, and weight, and any other details users choose to input. Users will have the option to delete their data at any time [1].

Zhou envisions Doop accumulating the most detailed global fecal dataset, which could open new frontiers in health research. The app plans to publish reports based on the data, potentially comparing the gut health of different cities and identifying broader health trends. However, the methodology has yet to receive formal approval from gut health professionals. Zhou mentioned that the app is in discussions with university professors to endorse its approach, a crucial step given the health advice it plans to deliver through its AI agent [1].

Despite the humorous premise, Doop has secured funding through an angel round, with participation from pseudonymous crypto investor Dingaling, founder of the meme coin launchpad Boop. Zhou emphasized that the project is grounded in scientific research and aims to make self-care more habitual and engaging. He also highlighted the broader potential of using behavioral incentives to improve public health [1].

Source: [1] This App Pays You Crypto to Share Your Poop Pics (https://decrypt.co/335614/this-app-pays-you-crypto-share-poop-pics)