Gut-Brain Connection in GI Symptoms

In this episode, we dive into mind-body science, starting with a focus on the gut-brain connection. We talk about the nervous system, gut microbiome, vagus nerve stimulation, and how behavioral medicine therapies such as CBT and hypnotherapy, along with mind-body therapies such as yoga, mindfulness, and breathing techniques can be used to help you cope with your GI symptoms. If you suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, heartburn, or even other symptoms when you eat such as headaches, fatigue, joint pain, and skin rashes, this episode might be important for you. Or even for those just curious in understanding better the connections between the gut and the brain, and what psychogastroenterology is all about, welcome!

I have also developed a quiz where you can find out if your gut-brain connection might be playing an important role in your GI symptoms: www.mindbodyfoodpain.com/gutbrainquiz

And if you are interested in working with me to deal with your GI condition, learn more about my coaching program here: www.mindbodyfoodpain.com/gut-health

Last but not least, if you prefer to work on your own at your own pace, I am launching a Gut-Brain Health online course, using psychology, neuroscience, and mind-body therapies to empower you with self-regulation techniques to cope with your gut disorders. To get informed when the course doors open or sign up for the waiting list, go here: https://www.mindbodyfoodpain.com/gut-brain-health-waitlist

References mentioned in the episode:

To find practitioners familiar with the GastroPsych concepts, visit https://romegipsych.org/advanced-search/

And for a directory of clinicians trained to prescribe Nerva's gut-directed hypnotherapy, visit https://www.mindsethealth.com/clinician-directory

Scientific References:

[1] Collection of gut-brain research articles: https://www.nature.com/collections/dyhbndhpzv

[2] Enteric nervous system:

Dowling, L. R., Strazzari, M. R., Keely, S., & Kaiko, G. E. (2022). Enteric nervous system and intestinal epithelial regulation of the gut-brain axis. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 150(3), 513–522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2022.07.015

[3] Vagus nerve:

Caravaca, A. S., Levine, Y. A., Drake, A., Eberhardson, M., & Olofsson, P. S. (2022). Vagus Nerve Stimulation Reduces Indomethacin-Induced Small Bowel Inflammation. Frontiers in neuroscience, 15, 730407. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021.730407

[4] Visceral hypersensitivity:

Singh, R., Zogg, H., Ghoshal, U. C., & Ro, S. (2022). Current Treatment Options and Therapeutic Insights for Gastrointestinal Dysmotility and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Frontiers in pharmacology, 13, 808195. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.808195

[5] Treatments for IBS:

Paine P. (2021). Review article: current and future treatment approaches for pain in IBS. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 54 Suppl 1, S75–S88. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16550

[5] The gut-brain axis:

Mayer, E. A., Nance, K., & Chen, S. (2022). The Gut-Brain Axis. Annual review of medicine, 73, 439–453. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-med-042320-014032

[6] CBT for IBS:

Jacobs, J. P., Gupta, A., Bhatt, R. R., Brawer, J., Gao, K., Tillisch, K., Lagishetty, V., Firth, R., Gudleski, G. D., Ellingson, B. M., Labus, J. S., Naliboff, B. D., Lackner, J. M., & Mayer, E. A. (2021). Cognitive behavioral therapy for irritable bowel syndrome induces bidirectional alterations in the brain-gut-microbiome axis associated with gastrointestinal symptom improvement. Microbiome, 9(1), 236. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-021-01188-6