Bi-directionality of Brain-Gut Interactions

Dr. Gracie at St. James’ University Hospital and his team of researchers explored the fascinating two-way relationship between the brain and the gut. They specifically followed 405 people with symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease for two years and found that:

• Gut to Brain: If someone had active IBD at the beginning of the study, they were almost six times more likely to develop anxiety later on. This suggests that what's happening in your gut can indeed affect your mental well-being.

• Brain to Gut: Conversely, if someone's IBD was quiet and under control but they were experiencing anxiety, they were more likely to have their IBD flare up or need more intense treatment later. This indicates that your psychological state can influence your gut health.

Simply put, the research provides clear evidence that there's a back-and-forth interaction between your brain and your gut when it comes to gut issues and psychological issues like anxiety or depression. What’s most important, the study highlights the importance of focusing on psychological wellness of people with IBD, just as much as their physical symptoms.

Gracie, D. J., Guthrie, E. A., Hamlin, P. J., & Ford, A. C. (2018). Bi-directionality of Brain-Gut Interactions in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Gastroenterology, 154(6), 1635–1646.e3.