Geophagia is the official term for craving and eating dirt, including earth, soil, or clay. Eating dirt may relieve gastrointestinal pain for some people, but it can also cause health problems such as anemia and lead poisoning. Geophagia is a type of pica, a condition in which people regularly and deliberately eat nonfood items. People may crave dirt due to nutritional deficiencies, pregnancy, cultural customs, or other reasons.
While people may consume some nutrients when eating dirt, this habit also increases a person’s risk of toxicity, such as from heavy metals. This article explains what causes geophagia, the potential benefits and risks, how to manage cravings, and when to speak with a doctor. The following factors may cause a person to develop geophagia.
Causes and Context
Pregnancy. People may eat dirt due to pregnancy. In a 2017 South African study, 54% of 597 pregnant people experienced geophagia. Three-quarters of that group ate more than 3 teaspoons of soil daily. Some of the reasons these people gave for eating the soil included: craving the soil’s taste, texture, and smell; a belief that the soil acted as an iron supplement, improving their and the baby’s health; relieving pregnancy-related heartburn and morning sickness; and boredom.
Age and developmental factors. Pica is most common in children, pregnant people, and people with an intellectual impairment. It is an eating disorder that causes people to eat things that are not food. This may include dirt, clay, raw starch, ice, hair, and more. Factors such as stress, child neglect, and maternal deprivations may play a role in the development of pica among children.
Nutrient deficiencies. Deficiencies in iron and zinc may play a role in why some people eat dirt. A 2023 study of children from Sri Lanka suggested that pica could indicate a zinc deficiency because the average zinc levels in the children with pica were significantly lower than the average zinc levels in the group without pica.
Other risk factors. Stress, cultural influences, learned behavior, mental health conditions, child neglect or abuse, epilepsy, and family dysfunction may all contribute to pica. A 2016 study suggests geophagia may also occur as a way for people to reassert their identity in a foreign country, possibly related to lack or expense of certain foods.
Historically, geophagia has been described across cultures and times. Hippocrates was among the first to describe geophagia, and European medical texts from the 16th and 17th centuries linked geophagia to chlorosis or “green sickness.” Current presentation shows geophagia still occurring worldwide, often in tropical regions, and may relate to foodborne illness, cultural practice, or attempts to manage gastrointestinal distress.
Proposed Theories and Evidence on Benefits
One theory suggests that dirt can bind to toxins and help the digestive system eliminate them, potentially offering protection against certain toxins during pregnancy or in cases of toxin exposure. A 2011 review of geophagy in 482 people and 297 animals found evidence suggesting a possible protective role of soil against toxins, though more research is needed to confirm benefits for humans. Some studies indicate clay may absorb toxins and reduce exposure to heavy metals such as mercury, and certain clays have been explored for reducing aflatoxin exposure.
Another potential benefit discussed is relief from gastrointestinal distress. Reviews have noted that eating dirt may provide distraction or relief from pain and distress, particularly related to GI issues. However, experts emphasize that the risks often outweigh these potential benefits, especially during pregnancy.
Major Health Risks and Safety Concerns
Geophagia can introduce a range of health problems due to contaminants in soil and the physical effects of clay consumption. Potential issues include:
- Parasitic infections, bacterial exposure, and heavy metal poisoning (e.g., lead).
- Interference with nutrient absorption, including iron and zinc, potentially worsening anemia.
- Electrolyte disturbances such as hypokalemia, which can cause muscle weakness and cardiac problems.
- Gastrointestinal problems, constipation, and, in rare cases, intestinal obstruction or perforation.
- Pregnancy-specific risks to the fetus, especially if toxins are ingested or nutrient absorption is impaired.
- Risk of tetanus from soil exposure in some cases, requiring prompt medical attention if symptoms arise.
Clay types can vary in safety. Some clays are used medicinally for diarrhea or detoxification, but safety is not guaranteed, especially for long-term use or in vulnerable groups such as pregnant people and children. Ingested clay can bind to minerals and reduce their bioavailability from other dietary sources, potentially contributing to deficiencies. Long-term soil consumption has been associated with hypokalemia and iron deficiency, among other issues.
Managing Cravings and When to Seek Help
If you or someone you know experiences cravings for dirt, several management strategies may help, sometimes in combination with medical evaluation:
- Talk to a trusted friend or family member to receive support and distraction.
- Replace cravings with similar textures and colors of safe foods, such as finely ground cookies, cereal, or crackers.
- Chewing gum or sucking hard candy can help reduce cravings for nonfood items.
- Consult a healthcare provider to assess possible nutritional deficiencies and to discuss safe treatment options.
- Consider therapy to address underlying behavioral or mental health concerns, especially if cravings persist.
- Use positive reinforcement or reward-based strategies to reduce the urge to eat dirt.
Not seeking medical advice can allow deficiencies or toxin exposure to go unchecked. If there are new or concerning symptoms, such as painful bowel movements, persistent constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, chest tightness, or fatigue, consult a healthcare professional promptly. Severe symptoms like muscle weakness, significant electrolyte disturbances, or signs of heavy metal exposure require urgent medical attention.
When to Avoid or Limit Clay Eating
According to safety guidance, clay consumption is possibly safe short-term for adults at modest doses, but long-term use can lead to serious issues such as low potassium and iron, lead poisoning, and gastrointestinal problems. Pregnancy is a high-risk period where long-term clay consumption is considered unsafe by many experts due to potential risks to the fetus and the mother. For children, some clay types may be tolerated in short-term use under medical supervision, but safety varies by clay type and dose.
Clay can interact with medications and nutrient absorption. For example, clay may lower the absorption of certain drugs like cimetidine and some medications used to treat infections or other conditions. If you are taking medications, discuss clay use with a healthcare provider to avoid interactions.
Edible Clays and Therapeutic Uses
Clay is used in traditional medicine and as a natural remedy for various GI symptoms, detoxification, and skin care. Some clays are marketed to bind metals and toxins, potentially preventing poisoning from heavy metals. While some studies show potential benefits for diarrhea in specific contexts, evidence is inconsistent, and the overall risk profile often outweighs benefits for the general population.
In clinical contexts, specific clays such as dioctahedral smectite have been studied for safety in short-term use, including applications for mucosal healing in oral ulcers and as a supplement in diarrhea. However, safety during pregnancy, long-term use, or in sensitive groups remains uncertain, and any use should be guided by a clinician.
Practical Takeaways
- Geophagia is a recognized condition (pica) with multiple potential causes, including pregnancy, micronutrient deficiencies, and cultural practices.
- Potential benefits proposed for edible clays include toxin binding and GI relief, but robust human evidence is limited and benefits are likely outweighed by risks in many cases.
- Risks include anemia progression, heavy metal exposure (notably lead), infections, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- Management focuses on nutritional evaluation, behavioral strategies, therapy for underlying disorders, and medical monitoring to ensure safety.
- Consult a healthcare provider if cravings persist, symptoms arise, or there is concern about toxin exposure or nutrient deficiencies.
Clay types, dosages, and safety profiles vary. If you’re curious about edible clays for health reasons, discuss with a clinician who can assess nutritional status, review potential toxin exposure, and guide safe management tailored to your situation.
