Breaking Taboos and Building Trust: How Vibrant Gastro is Changing the Conversation Around Constipation

Breaking Taboos and Building Trust: How Vibrant Gastro is Changing the Conversation Around Constipation

Chronic constipation may not be the most glamorous health topic, but it affects over 39 million Americans and severely impacts quality of life. At the forefront of addressing this often-overlooked condition is Vibrant Gastro, a pioneering company that has developed a drug-free, FDA-cleared vibrating capsule designed to restore the body’s natural rhythm—without the side effects of medication!

Vibrant's groundbreaking work recently earned them the Top Innovator Award at the 2025 TAG Awards for MedTech, recognizing their bold, patient-centered approach and their potential to revolutionize care across the GI space.

Recently, Justin Starbird, Co-Founder of the TAG Awards sat down with Asaf Bar, CEO of Vibrant Gastro, on the TAG’d: Beyond the Award podcast to talk about what makes this technology so unique, the power of bioelectronic therapy, and how Vibrant is creating a new category of treatment that blends cutting-edge science with simplicity and empathy.

 

Tackling a Silent Epidemic

Chronic constipation is a condition that impacts quality of life, yet is often underreported due to stigma. Defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a week for more than six months, this issue leads to social withdrawal, missed work, and daily discomfort for millions. Traditional treatments are largely pharmacological, with side effects like unpredictable diarrhea often exacerbating the problem rather than solving it.

Enter Vibrant Gastro.

Vibrant Gastro’s drug-free bioelectronic capsule is a first-of-its-kind solution designed to work with the body rather than against it. Roughly the size of a multivitamin, the capsule is activated before bedtime and begins its work once it reaches the colon. Through gentle, algorithm-driven vibrations, it stimulates the mechanoreceptors in the intestinal walls, helping to restore natural peristalsis—the body’s own rhythm of movement—without the need for chemicals or stimulants.

 

Backed by Science, Built for Comfort

What sets the Vibrant System apart is not just its innovation but the rigorous validation behind it. The development process included six clinical trials with over 800 patients, ensuring the treatment not only worked but did so with minimal side effects.

The result? A placebo-like safety profile with only 0.6% incidence of diarrhea—a stark contrast to competing treatments that report side effect rates over 15%.

And despite its advanced technology, most users don’t even feel the capsule at work. For the small percentage who do, the sensation is non-intrusive—and even reassuring.

 

Designed to Scale and Evolve

What’s perhaps most exciting is that this is only the beginning. The Vibrant capsule isn’t a one-trick device. Asaf explains that the hardware remains the same across indications—only the software needs to be updated to address other gastrointestinal conditions. Future applications may include treatments for:

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)
  • Weight management
  • Post-spinal cord injury bowel issues

With such adaptability, the platform promises to tackle more unmet needs with minimal development cost and maximum impact.

 

Human-Centered Innovation

Behind the science and strategy is a deeply motivated team committed to one thing: helping people feel better. “Everyone knows someone who suffers from constipation,” said Asaf. “Whether it’s you, your mother, or your partner—it’s personal for all of us. That’s what keeps our team going.”

Recognition from the TAG Awards is more than a badge of honor. It’s validation of the years of dedication, the sleepless nights, and the unwavering focus on delivering a product that truly works. It also acknowledges the patients who’ve embraced this new approach—and whose quality of life is improving as a result.

 

The Future is Drug-Free

In a world where most solutions involve adding more drugs to an already complex regimen, Vibrant Gastro offers something refreshingly different: a technology-forward, side effect-light solution that puts patients back in control.

“We’re grateful for the honor from the TAG Awards and inspired to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in gut health. Because when it comes to innovation, we’re just getting started.”

 

Learn more about the Vibrant System at www.vibrantgastro.com

Check out the rest of the 2025 TAG Awards for MedTech winners!