The Gut-Brain Psychology

Gut-brain psychology is the study of the connection between the gut and the brain and how they interact to affect our behavior, emotions, and overall health. This field of research has shown that the gut and the brain are in constant communication, with the gut having a significant impact on our mood, stress levels, and immune system. The gut and the brain are linked through a complex system of nerves, hormones, and biochemical signaling pathways. Research suggests that this connection can have a significant impact on our overall health and well-being.

The brain has a direct effect on the stomach and intestines. For example, the very thought of eating can release the stomach's juices before food gets there. This connection goes both ways. A troubled intestine can send signals to the brain, just as a troubled brain can send signals to the gut. Therefore, a person's stomach or intestinal distress can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress, or depression. That's because the brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) system are intimately connected.

“For decades, researchers and doctors thought that anxiety and depression contributed to these problems. But our studies and others show that it may also be the other way around,” Pasricha says. Researchers are finding evidence that irritation in the gastrointestinal system may send signals to the central nervous system (CNS) that trigger mood changes.