The Brain-Gut axis - why everyone is talking about it!

The brain-gut axis is a two-way communication system — not just top-down or bottom-up, but both. Some evidence is now beginning to understand the profound impact the gut has on the brain, and vice versa. These two systems are in constant communication, continuously monitoring and influencing each other’s state.

A great example of this connection is the old saying, “A gut feel” because it captures the intuitive sense that our gut reflects what’s happening in our mind — and vice versa.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a prime example of brain-gut dysregulation. Interestingly, the Nerva program from Monash University has shown that gut symptoms can be significantly improved in IBS diagnosed individuals, through gut-directed hypnotherapy — a form of talking therapy targeted to address the miscommunication between the gut and the brain— without any dietary intervention! This highlights the power of the mind, and specifically how stress can physically affect the body.

Chronic stress doesn’t just affect how we feel — it can make us physically unwell. Under stress, organs can become sluggish, digestion slows, and hormonal balance is disrupted. Over time, this can lead to serious conditions like type 2 diabetes, driven in part by prolonged cortisol elevation and insulin resistance.

In essence, the brain and gut know what’s going on with each other at all times. When one is out of balance, the other often follows. Understanding and supporting this axis is key to both mental and physical health.