Stress & the Gut-Brain Axis

How your mental state directly affects your digestion, inflammation, and overall gut health

What Is the Gut-Brain Axis?

The gut-brain axis is a two-way communication system between your gut and your brain. It’s how your nervous system, digestive system, and microbiome stay in constant conversation.

This system involves:

• The vagus nerve (connecting the brain and gut directly)
• Neurotransmitters (like serotonin and GABA, many of which are made in the gut)
• Hormones (like cortisol and adrenaline)
• The microbiome (which produces mood- and inflammation-regulating compounds)

When you’re under stress, anxious, or stuck in a “fight or flight” state, your brain sends signals to the gut that slow digestion, increase inflammation, and disrupt microbiome balance.

How Stress Affects Digestion

When you’re stressed, your body prioritizes survival—not digestion. This causes a cascade of effects in your gut:

1. Reduced Stomach Acid & Enzymes

• Makes it harder to break down food
• Leads to bloating, reflux, or undigested food in stool

2. Slowed Motility (or too fast)

• Can cause constipation, diarrhea, or alternating bowel patterns

3. Leaky Gut & Inflammation

• Chronic stress increases gut permeability
• Triggers immune responses and food sensitivities