Skip to main content
  • Sitemap
  • FAQ
  • BAYER GLOBAL
  • Where To Buy
Home
  • Heartburn
    heartburn
    • Learn more about
      • Causes & Symptoms
    • Learn more about
      • Treatment
  • Acid Reflux
    Acid reflux
    • Learn more about
      • Causes & Symptoms
    • Learn more about
      • Treatment
  • Indigestion
    Indigestion
    • Learn more about
      • Causes & Symptoms
    • Learn more about
      • Treatment
  • Trapped Wind
    trapped wind
    • Learn more about
      • Causes & Symptoms
    • Learn more about
      • Treatment
  • Heartburn During Pregnancy
  • Product Range
  • Tips & Advice
    • Learn more about
      • Tips
    • Learn more about
      • Recipes
Bayer Cross Logo

Emotions and digestion:
how stress and happiness can affect your digestive health

The link between emotions and digestion has been well documented – how else can you explain that sudden feeling you get when you are scared and you become instantly nauseous?

We constantly use expressions like ‘I have butterflies in my stomach’ because the gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to emotion. Feelings such as anger, anxiety, sadness, and joy all can trigger symptoms in the gut.

Rennie takes a look at how different emotions can trigger different reactions in your digestive system.

HOW HAPPINESS AFFECTS YOUR DIGESTION

Many experts have referred to the digestive system as a ‘second brain’ due to its sensitivity to emotions and a major factor in your emotional state are the serotonin levels in your body.

The complex interaction that exists between the digestive tract and brain is primarily due to the enteric nervous system. Essentially, this refers to the thousands of nerves aligned across the intestines that alert muscles to contract to move food along the digestive tract.

Similar to the one in your head, your gut's ‘brain’ relies on neurotransmitters such as serotonin – popularly known as the feel-good chemical – to maintain its wellbeing.

A deficit of serotonin can lead to depression so the levels must be sustained in order to maintain a healthy digestive system.

HOW STRESS AND ANGER AFFECTS YOUR DIGESTION

The intimate connection between the digestive system and brain is never more clearly evident than when you may feel intestinal pain during times of stress.

We seem to underestimate the extent to which psychology has an effect on our bodies, when biologically it is the combination of physical elements and psychology that cause pain and other bowel indicators.

Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to stress can lead to the development of several gastrointestinal diseases such as peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome and food allergies.

Stress may seem like a purely psychological issue but it can manifest itself in many physiological ways. Ensuring you are able to relax and unwind is vital in maintaining healthy digestion.

Rennie has explored some of the best ways to de-stress in this blog post.

SYMPTOMS OF STRESS

Could stress be a contributing factor to your heartburn or digestive issues? Here are some common symptoms of stress that you should discuss with your doctor:

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

  • Weight loss or gain
  • Headaches
  • Sleep Problems
  • Restlessness
  • Change in Sleep Pattern

BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS

  • Changes in food or alcohol consumption
  • Increased desire to be alone
  • Frequently thinking and talking about stressful situations
  • Taking up bad habits such as smoking or practicing such habits more than usual
  • Difficulty in concentrating

EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS

  • Crying
  • Depression
  • Short temperedness
  • Nervous Behaviour
  • Temporary Loss of memory

These symptoms are not an exhaustive list and people suffering from stress may display a wide range of symptoms – which is why it’s important to discuss concerns you may have about your digestion or mental health with your doctor.

TIPS & ADVICE

Take a look at our tips and advice on how to have a happier digestive life.

Home Remedies To Naturally Relieve Heartburn

Home remedies to naturally relieve heartburn

Suffering from heartburn? Rennie shares some tips on natural methods and home remedies for heartburn relief that can help to ease your symptoms.

LEARN MORE
Foods to Avoid if You Suffer from Acid Reflux

Foods to avoid if you suffer from acid reflux

Sadly, acid reflux can be caused by one of life's  greatest pleasures; food. Rennie examines how changes in your diet can make all the difference and which foods are the most common causes.

LEARN MORE
Chest pain: is it heartburn or a heart condition?

Chest pain: is it heartburn or a heart condition?

Do you have an unknown pain in your chest? Find out how you can recognise different types of chest pain and identify heartburn, indigestion, & gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

LEARN MORE
VIEW ALL ARTICLES

View
OUR PRODUCTS

Rennie Peppermint

Rennie Peppermint

Learn more

Where to buy

Rennie Spearmint

Rennie Spearmint

Learn more

Where to buy

Rennie Sugar Free

Rennie Sugar Free

Learn more

Where to buy

Rennie Orange

Rennie Orange

Learn more

Where to buy

Rennie Deflatine

Rennie Deflatine

Learn more

Where to buy

Rennie Dual Action

Rennie Dual Action

Learn more

Where to buy

WHERE TO BUY

Rennie
  • Heartburn
  • Acid reflux
  • Indigestion
  • Trapped wind
  • Heartburn During Pregnancy
  • Product range
  • Tips & advice

Copyright© 2021 Bayer. All rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. All trademarks are owned by Bayer, and its affiliates, or licensed for its use.

Ireland's No 1 Heartburn & Indigestion Tablet
*Nielsen MAT Units June 2020, IMS MAT Units April 2020

Always read the label. If symptoms are severe or prolonged, you should consult a doctor or pharmacist. If you are pregnant, medicines can affect the unborn baby. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine during pregnancy.


  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Bayer Consumer Health
  • Privacy Statement
  • Condition of Use
  • Imprint