#gutbrainconnection

The insulin-like growth factor II gene plays a critical role in adult stem cell maintenance of both the intestine and the brain. Findings suggest IGF-2 is essential for multiple stem cell types, including those implicated in cognitive function and renewing the lining of the small intestine.

Read the full article here: https://neurosciencenews.com/gut-brain-stem-cells-11087/

In the study, the researchers removed the gene from adult mice either rapidly over five days or more slowly over 15 days. In the intestine, the fast deletion of the gene led to a rapid loss of fast-cycling stem cells that replenish the gut lining, leading to dramatic weight loss and death within a week. A slower deletion of the gene allowed the mice to survive due to the recruitment of a second, and more inactive, population of gut stem cells, whose existence has been debated. Additionally, the study revealed that half of the stem cells in two regions of the brain that house neural stem cells were lost, causing deficits in learning and memory, increased anxiety and a loss of the sense of smell.

(Their findings show that the insulin-like growth factor II gene is essential for multiple types of adult stem cells that are critical for cognitive function and renewing the lining of small intestine in adults. The image is adapted from the Rutgers University news release. )

If you have IBS, you may have noticed that your symptoms don't always seem to follow a predictable pattern.

You might eat something you've eaten many times before and feel perfectly fine. Then, on another day, you can experience bloating, discomfort, urgency or abdominal pain without being able to identify an obvious reason.

One reason for this is the brain-gut connection.

Your digestive system and your brain are in constant communication. When you're stressed, anxious or feeling under pressure, your brain can influence what happens in your digestive system.

For someone with IBS, this communication can become particularly noticeable. The gut can become more sensitive to normal digestive activity, and sensations that might otherwise go unnoticed can feel uncomfortable or painful.

This doesn't mean that IBS is "all in your head". The symptoms are very real. It means that the nervous system can play an important part in how those symptoms are experienced.

Can hypnotherapy help with IBS?

Gut-directed hypnotherapy is one approach that aims to work with the brain-gut connection.

Rather than concentrating solely on the symptoms themselves, hypnotherapy can help you develop a calmer response to the sensations coming from your digestive system.

For some people, this can mean becoming less focused on every sensation, reducing the anxiety surrounding symptoms and helping the nervous system move towards a calmer state.

I've made a calming relaxation session specifically designed to help ease the discomfort of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

👉 Watch the video on YouTube: [IBS Guided Session]

I've also written more about IBS and hypnotherapy, including what you can expect from treatment:

👉 Read more on my website: [Website]

If you have persistent or unexplained bowel symptoms, it's important to speak to your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional to make sure you've had the right medical assessment.

Most people think cravings, hunger, and digestion are completely separate from what's happening in the gut.

Researchers have discovered that's not the case.

Your digestive system and brain communicate continuously through what scientists call the gut-brain axis.

This communication network involves:

• The nervous system • Hormones • Immune signals • The gut microbiome

This helps explain why stress can affect digestion, why poor sleep can influence food choices, and why healthy eating habits often impact how we feel throughout the day.

While research continues to evolve, one thing remains consistent:

Small daily habits matter.

✓ Eat more fiber-rich foods ✓ Get quality sleep ✓ Manage stress ✓ Stay active ✓ Stay hydrated

Gut health isn't built through one perfect meal.

It's built through consistent habits over time.