Gut Feelings Are Real: Your Bowels Might Be Better at Therapy Than You Think

By nature, therapists are invested in helping clients connect the dots between their emotions, bodily sensations and relationships. But here is something you might not hear in your average therapy session: “Your gut is doing a lot more than digesting food. It’s holding a conversation with your brain!”

We often mention “gut feelings” or “ feeling butterflies” when anxious or worried- but these aren’t just metaphors. The gut and brain are in constant dialogue via the vagus nerve, and a growing body of research is proving what many therapists have intuitively known for decades: The state of your gut can seriously impact your mental health. 

So what’s going on in your gut?

Our gut is home to trillions of microbes, better known as our ‘gut microbiome’. When this little ecosystem is out of balance (usually thanks to stress, skipping meals, or medications), your mood can take a hit. Think of brain fog, anxiety, irritability, low mood- the works. 

From a therapy (and more so a Gestalt lens), we pay attention to the whole experience: body, mind, and environment. If you’re feeling emotionally off but only addressing the mental layer, you might be missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.

Healing Your Gut to Soothe Your Mind

When our gut is nourished and regulated, our nervous system is better supported, which creates fertile ground for emotional integration and resilience. This is how healing your gut can support mental health:

- Improved Mood: through the production of serotonin (up to 90% is made in the gut!!)

- Reduced Anxiety: due to balanced microbiota and better vagal tone

- More Energy & Focus: which means fewer shutdowns or spirals

- Less Inflammation, which is linked to depression and chronic stress

Okay, but how can I start?

There’s no need for kombucha subscriptions or kale-based diets, just consider the following:

1. Eat more whole, fibre-rich foods- our gut loves variety!

2. Reduce the ultra-processed food and added sugars

3. Support digestion with slow, mindful meals- even more important on out busiest of days!

4. Exploring & including different fermented foods- kimchi, sauerkraut, miso

5. Working with a professional if/when you feel you have deeper issues

In therapy, we believe awareness is the first step towards change. And becoming aware of your gut-brain connection is a radical act of self-care.

So the next time you feel off, anxious or emotionally stuck- check in with your gut! Not just metaphorically, but literally. Because healing isn’t just about thoughts and feelings. It’s about integration. And sometimes, that starts with what’s happening in our bellies.

Trust your gut- it might be wiser than you think!