Irritable Bowel Syndrome Pt.1: Exploring the connection between IBS and the brain
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects millions of people across the world. Traditional treatments for the uncomfortable symptoms it presents have often focused on a diet-based approach. However, increasing amounts of research reveal that the gut-brain axis plays an important part in the disorder. In the next few posts, we’ll be looking into the brain-IBS link, talking about the microbiome, and delving deep into how stress and emotions play their part.
The Power of Probiotics and the Gut-Brain Axis
In part five of the gut and brain series, we’re giving you the low down on the role of probiotics in maintaining a healthy connection between the brain and the ‘second brain,’ as the gut is often known.
Staying Present to Foster a Healthy Gut-Brain Connection
Welcome back to the series in which we tackle all aspects of the gut-brain axis and explain how to achieve a symbiotic connection between your mind and your gut. By now, we know about what comprises this link, and its bi-directional nature: how your gut health affects your brain health, and vice versa. With that in mind, let’s talk about how you can use the power of your mind to ensure the healthiest possible brain-gut connection.
The Brain’s Important Influence on the Gut
Our last post explores how maintaining a healthy gut promotes better mental health outcomes. And guess what? Since the gut-brain axis is bi-directional, the opposite is also true. The brain influences the gut in a multitude of ways, which we will be discussing in today’s blog.
How Good Gut Health Leads to Better Mental Health
Ever experienced that “gut-wrenching” sensation when feeling intense emotions? Struggle with digestive disruption when your stress levels get high? All of this and more can be explained by the gut-brain axis.
In part two of our gut and brain series, we’re going into detail about how the elaborate connection between the brain and the gut plays a pivotal role in shaping our mental health.
Understanding The Gut-Brain Connection: The Basics
You know that expression “I’ve just got a gut feeling”? There’s more to it than you might think. In this series, we’re going to be de-mystifying the links between the gut and the brain, explaining exactly how they are connected, and delving into all of the knock-on effects the connection has on our overall well-being. Let’s kick things off with the basics.