The Brain-Gut Connection

Written by: Nandini Trivedi

Believe it or not, emotions have the power to affect our organs internally. What we don’t deal with at the surface eventually goes deep into our body and can turn into disease. For example, many people experience anxiety and depression and that can affect their stomach and eating. This is scientifically proven through the “brain-gut connection.” There is biochemical signaling that takes place between our gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. 

When we are anxious or depressed, the body goes into “fight or flight” mode and the nervous system goes into high alert. This happens because neurotransmitters from the brain are signaling that the body is in danger and it needs to protect itself. This can make your stomach tighten and lead to acid reflux, inability to eat, ulcers and other digestive disorders when we are not in “rest and digest” mode which allows our parasympathetic nervous system to kick in and help the stomach to function normally.