Is your nervous system the root cause of your gut issues

Nervous System and Gut Issues: How Are They Connected?


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by Arianne Missimer

Are you struggling with chronic digestive problems like bloating, SIBO, or leaky gut that just won’t go away, no matter how many protocols, supplements, or practitioners you’ve tried? It might surprise you, but there’s a root cause you haven’t fully addressed yet—the connection between your nervous system and gut issues. While you might have heard about this before, you may not have fully explored how critical the nervous system is to your gut health.

Let’s explore how these two systems are deeply interconnected and what that means for your healing journey.

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The Connection Between the Nervous System and Gut Issues

When it comes to chronic health conditions, nearly every patient we see is experiencing some form of nervous system imbalance. Whether it’s gut issues, chronic pain, or another health challenge, one thing remains constant: healing requires us to first assess the state of our nervous system.

Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory offers critical insights into how our nervous system operates in different states, impacting our physical and emotional health. 

For example, when we are in the ventral vagal state (also known as social engagement mode), we feel connected, grounded, and curious. In this state, our digestion and immune system function optimally. So, if you’re struggling with chronic bloating or constipation, it’s worth noting that being in a parasympathetic state, often called “rest and digest,” allows your body to digest food and absorb nutrients properly.

The Impact of Fight-or-Flight on Digestion

When you’re in a fight-or-flight state—whether due to stress, anxiety, or frustration—your body responds by diverting blood flow away from the digestive system. It’s part of the survival mechanism, priming your body to “run from the tiger.” Unfortunately, this redirection of blood flow impacts digestion, often leading to bloating, indigestion, or other gut issues.

Even everyday actions like multitasking while eating—such as working on your computer during meals—can put you in a fight-or-flight mode, harming your digestive process. Over time, this takes a toll on your gut health.

The Freeze State and Its Effect on Gut Health

Another common nervous system response is the freeze state, often triggered by trauma. In this state, you may feel disconnected from your body or overwhelmed. For example, you might lose the ability to sense hunger or fullness or wake up without an appetite, which isn’t typical for a healthy digestive system.

In freeze mode, your body’s inflammatory response can spike, leading to visceral hypersensitivity—meaning your gut becomes more sensitive to pain. This state is also linked to feelings of being “stuck,” making it harder to take action—even when you know what you need to do to support your health.

The Importance of Rest and Digest for Healing

The key takeaway? Spending as much time as possible in a rest-and-digest state is essential for your body to heal. This is when your digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall health are at their peak. While it’s unrealistic to be in this state all the time, aiming to make it your baseline will allow your body to do what it knows best—heal itself.

Without addressing your nervous system, all the supplements and protocols in the world won’t fully resolve your gut issues. You could remain stuck in fight-or-flight mode, where healing becomes an uphill battle.

Nervous System Awareness and Healing Gut Issues

Becoming aware of your nervous system state at any given moment is a game-changer for gut health. Through my own experiences and working with countless patients, I’ve seen the profound impact of balancing the nervous system. Once you achieve this balance, other gut treatments become far more effective, and real progress follows.

Remember, healing isn’t just about the next supplement or protocol—it’s about fostering harmony between your nervous system and your gut. Achieving that balance puts you on the fast track to recovery.

Share Your Experience

I’d love to hear your comments and thoughts on these practices—what you experienced and how they felt for you.

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You can always join us in our app, the Movement Paradigm. We have lots of challenges every other month—everything from movement to the nervous system, nutrition, and so on. And we have a great community of people. 

You can also reach out to us for an individual appointment for functional medicine or holistic physical therapy. If you really want to get to the root cause, please reach out to us.

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4 Ways to Improve Chronic Gut Issues

Gut Health and Chronic Pain: Strategies for a Pain-Free Life

7 Ways to Improve Your Lymphatic System I Beginner Lymph Drainage