Feelings Bottled Up in the Gut

Gut Gossip

Our gut will rant to the brain when it feels stressed out. The ability of the gut to function and metabolize properly is hurt by stressors increasing certain bacterial inhabitants and weakening control over permeability. With a weakened fort and toxins trespassing, the gut sends inflammatory cytokines directly to the brain that trigger alterations in mood and behavior. Researchers are linking this GI inflammation to psychological symptoms, as more than 1 in 2 people with irritable bowel syndrome for example, deal with mental health disorders.

Metabolites and neurotransmitters, including serotonin, are messengers either crafted by or residing within the gut. These molecules are shipped over to our central nervous system to deliver news such as current bodily events or call-to-actions. Therefore, it makes sense that alterations of the environment within the digestive system can result in mood disorders such as depression. In turn, unregulated psychological and emotional states can contribute further to gut inflammation and dysregulation. Due to the sensitivity of brain-gut communication pathways, our immune and endocrine systems, amongst other physiological responses, can also be affected by it.

Hence, if you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, talk with your primary care provider regarding potential gastrointestinal issues. Targeting gut problems in combination with cognitive behavioral treatments and medication may help with the alleviation of psychological consequences. Communication is key to a successful relationship — even between body parts.

What You Can Do with Your Body

In addition to what you put into your body, doing certain actions can support mental health. While physical activity is recommended for general fitness and curbing chronic disease, exercising can also improve one’s psychological wellbeing. Specifically, aerobic exercise has been shown to boost participants’ quality of life ratings amongst people with reported depression. Many people with depression experience lower levels of interest, self-esteem, and control over cognitive processes which, when combined with the stress of keeping up with daily responsibilities, can dampen their life experiences. These symptoms of depression can decrease significantly after two months of engaging in aerobic activity. Physical activity as a strategy to mitigate prolonged emotional distress is effective due to its involvement in our body’s signaling pathways, such as increasing the amount of neurotransmitter anandamide available to bind to cannabinoid receptors. The bacteria of our gut are also affected by varying amounts of exercise. Low physical activity levels are correlated to certain bacterium types dominating, linking to various mental conditions including general anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. Therefore, by moving more, the microbiome may communicate healthily and happily to the brain.

For thousands of years, meditation has been incorporated into scripture and daily practices, and for good reason. Meditation can help people with regulating their emotions and processing stressors by enhancing the same neural circuits that are altered in people with depression. Practicing mindfulness as a form of meditation by having a neutral focus on your current state, shielding out thoughts on the past or future, is also associated with increased management of emotions and behavior.