Stressed? Your gut feels it too. Let’s talk about the gut-brain axis.
You may have heard the phrase "gut feeling" before, but what if your gut is actually talking to your brain?
This isn’t just a metaphor. The gut and brain are in constant two-way communication through what’s known as the gut-brain axis and, when this communication breaks down, it can impact everything from your mood to your digestion.
Let’s unpack what this means, how it works, and what it might look like when things are out of sync.
What is the Gut-Brain Axis?
The gut-brain axis is the complex communication system between your gastrointestinal tract (gut) and your central nervous system (brain). This connection is mediated by the vagus nerve, neurotransmitters, immune system signals, and the gut microbiome.
In simple terms: your gut and brain are in constant conversation, sending chemical and electrical messages back and forth all day long.
How It Works (The Physiology)
There are a few key players in the gut-brain axis:
The vagus nerve acts like a communication highway between the gut and brain. Around 80–90% of the information travels from the gut to the brain — not the other way around.
Neurotransmitters, such as serotonin (of which around 90–95% is made in the gut), GABA, and dopamine are produced or influenced by gut bacteria.
The microbiome — the diverse population of bacteria, fungi and other microbes in the gut — helps regulate immune function, inflammation, digestion, and even mental health.
The immune system also plays a role. Around 70% of immune cells are found in the gut, and chronic inflammation here can affect mood and cognition.
When the gut is inflamed, imbalanced, or under stress, the brain receives those signals. Likewise, emotional stress can impact digestion, motility, and microbial balance.
How It Might Show Up When the Gut-Brain Axis Is Out of Sync
Because this connection is so integral, disruptions in the gut-brain axis can show up in a range of ways:
Bloating, constipation or loose stools — especially linked to stress
Feeling anxious, flat, or foggy for no clear reason
Cravings, poor appetite regulation or nausea
Trouble sleeping or winding down at night
Skin flare-ups or immune dysregulation
A sense of being “wired but tired” or chronically overwhelmed
Everyone is different, so the symptoms can vary — but when clients come in feeling “off” in both body and mood, this axis is often something I assess closely.
One Simple Tip to Start Supporting the Gut-Brain Axis Today
Slow down and chew your food.
It sounds basic, but mindful eating helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest mode), enhances enzyme release, and signals safety to the gut — which helps digestion and calms the nervous system.
Want to Go Deeper?
If you’re dealing with ongoing gut symptoms, stress-related issues, or just feel disconnected from your body, working on the gut-brain axis might be the missing piece.
Book a naturopathic consultation and we’ll explore what’s going on for you, and how to support this connection through diet, herbs, and lifestyle in a way that feels doable and nourishing.
