Round 2 of Research: What kinds of chronic digestive issues stem from stressful life events?
This is a question that many experiencing digestive problems seek to find the answers to. Are there specific digestive-related issues tied to physiological stress? While stress may only serve as one potential risk factor for a given issue, we must consider that it is one of the pillars that affects a large amount of bodily health as a whole. I am determined to answer whether IBS, indigestion, heartburn, and constipation have somewhat of a link to the long list of everyday stressors that society deals with.
As stated in the previous research round, stress does not create digestive issues, instead it exacerbates underlying issues with problems beginning to show (Ford, 2021). The brain’s immense effect on the digestive system is especially noted by the “butterfly in stomach” sensations people feel when experiencing a stressful life event (Ford, 2021). When stressed, the brain signals the sympathetic nervous system to turn on and ward off any potential threats that may harm the individual (Ford, 2021). This physiological response in turn delays stomach emptying, potentially leading to stomachaches, nausea, heart burn, and a whole host of other negative symptoms (Ford, 2021). Concurrently, stress increases the motor contractions within the large intestine, leading to loosened bowel movements, or diarrhea in some (Ford, 2021).
On top of the fact that stress can exacerbate existing digestive issues, the long-term physiological kind can instill a breeding ground for other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression (Mayer EA, 2007). Everyday stressors, such as deadlines, traffic, and altercations can exacerbate anxiety, and the subsequent effects on the gut because of the gut-brain axis (Mayer EA, 2007). Although stress does not always instigate issues such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and GERD, it often accentuates the underlying symptoms that signal that one of these conditions is about to act up (Mayer EA, 2007). Particularly in the case of IBD, individuals who have had a history of traumatic life experiences are more prone to relapses (Mayer EA, 2007).
The human digestive system is home to a very large network of neurons referred to as the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) (Hopkins, 2024). This is, as many will refer to it, the “second brain” within the body (Hopkins, 2024). This system plays a pivotal role in controlling all things digestion, with surprising connections to both mood and mental health (Hopkins, 2024). It is also in constant communication with the Central Nervous System (CNS), which can influence emotional states, definitively with people who struggle with IBS (Hopkins, 2024). Recent studies have come out saying that gastrointestinal distress triggers various mood changes, meaning that there is a bidirectional relationship between gut health and mental well-being (Hopkins, 2024).
There are physiological repercussions to both acute and chronic stress which manifest by way of maladaptive gut behaviour (Leigh et al., 2023). While there exist numerous studies on chronic and episodic stress, acute stress represents a gap in the understanding that scientists have yet to fully grasp and have come to accept (Leigh et al., 2023). Understanding these correlations is an integral part of cracking the code regarding digestive issues, as a whole host of these issues can be attributed to the gut brains’ role (Leigh et al., 2023). Prolonged stress is known for its contribution to a hefty allostatic load, which is represented by negative symptoms that manifest physiologically (Leigh et al., 2023). With adequate research surrounding the gut-brain connection, we will come closer to definitive answers for those who have been struggling (Leigh et al., 2023).
References
- (Ford, 2021) How Stress Affects Digestion—And What You Can Do About It. https://www.henryford.com/blog/2021/07/how-stress-affects-digestion. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
- (Mayer EA, 2007) Stress and your gut–https://badgut.org/information-centre/a-z-digestive-topics/stress-and-your-gut/
- The Brain-Gut Connection. 20 June 2024, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection.
- Leigh, Sarah‐Jane, et al. ‘The Impact of Acute and Chronic Stress on Gastrointestinal Physiology and Function: A Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis Perspective’. The Journal of Physiology, vol. 601, no. 20, Oct. 2023, pp. 4491–538. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1113/JP281951.
- Digestive Disorders: Types, Symptoms, Treatment. 19 Jan. 2021, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/list-of-digestive-disorders.
