Stress is a common experience that can have a significant impact on our bodies, including our gastrointestinal (GI) tract and hormones. When we experience stress, our body releases cortisol, which can cause inflammation of the digestive tract and disrupt the balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut 1. This can lead to symptoms such as nausea, stomach cramps, and changes in bowel movements 213.
The gut and brain are closely connected, and emotional and psychosocial factors can play a role in functional gastrointestinal disorders 2. Cognitive behavioral therapy and stress reduction techniques such as meditation and relaxation therapies can help manage pain and improve other symptoms in ways that are different from how drugs act 2.
If you’re interested in learning more about the impact of stress on your gut, you can check out this article from Harvard Health 2. It provides an overview of the relationship between stress and the gut, as well as some tips for managing stress-related symptoms.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
1 northeastdigestive.com2 health.harvard.edu3psychologytoday.com4carbonhealth.com
