What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterised by symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, including diarrhoea and constipation. The exact cause of IBS remains unclear, but it is thought to be influenced by a combination of factors, including gut motility, the gut microbiome, and psychological aspects, such as stress and anxiety. This is where the brain-gut axis plays a crucial role.
The brain-gut axis
The brain-gut axis facilitates communication between the brain and the enteric nervous system, which governs digestive functions. Stress and emotional disturbances can lead to disruptions in this communication, potentially exacerbating IBS symptoms. Because the gut is sometimes called the “second brain,” this pathway illustrates how emotional states can directly impact gastrointestinal health and vice versa.
The vagus nerve is a crucial component of the parasympathetic nervous system, playing a significant role in regulating various bodily functions, including digestion, heart rate, and the immune response. It serves as a communication pathway between the brain and major organs, including the gut, making it vital for overall well-being.
Microbiota, the trillions of microorganisms residing in our intestines, profoundly influence our health. These microbes help in digestion, produce essential vitamins, and play a key role in immune function. A balanced microbiota is essential for maintaining gut health. Still, factors such as stress, poor diet, and antibiotics can disturb this balance, leading to dysbiosis—a condition where harmful bacteria outnumber beneficial ones.
Stress and IBS
Stress is a well-known trigger for IBS. When a person experiences stress, the body’s fight-or-flight response activates, potentially leading to changes in gut motility and increased sensitivity to pain in the digestive tract. This heightened sensitivity can exacerbate IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits.
The vagus nerve acts as a pathway in communication. Research suggests that stimulating the vagus nerve can help alleviate stress and potentially restore balance to the gut microbiota. Techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and specific dietary changes can promote vagal tone, which may help manage IBS symptoms.
Moreover, emerging studies indicate a bidirectional relationship between gut microbiota and the vagus nerve. A healthy gut microbiome can enhance vagal tone, while a well-functioning vagus nerve may help maintain a balanced microbiota. Therefore, nurturing both the gut flora and the vagus nerve could be beneficial in managing stress and IBS, highlighting the interconnectedness of these systems in our overall health.
Hypnosis for IBS
One of the key benefits of hypnosis in treating IBS is its ability to help reduce stress and anxiety, which are common triggers for IBS flare-ups. By promoting relaxation and altering pain perception, hypnosis can help you manage your symptoms more effectively.
Hypnosis is helping you make changes in the subconscious mind, contributing to long-lasting effects. Furthermore, it gives you techniques that give you more control of your symptoms.
Moreover, hypnosis may encourage gut motility and sensitivity changes, contributing to more regular bowel habits and reduced discomfort.
The process typically involves guiding you into a relaxed state, where you can then engage in visualisations and accept positive suggestions.
This potential of hypnosis to improve the gut microbiome offers hope for the future of IBS treatment. While more studies are needed to understand this effect fully, the existing evidence suggests that hypnosis can play a beneficial role in the holistic management of IBS by addressing both the psychological and physiological components of the disorder.
Research has also pointed to the potential for hypnosis to positively influence the gut microbiome, which is essential since an imbalance in gut bacteria has been linked to IBS.
In conclusion, the interplay between the brain and gut profoundly influences conditions like IBS. Hypnosis offers a valuable therapeutic approach that not only focuses on alleviating symptoms but also empowers individuals to manage the psychological aspects of their condition better. This empowerment can instil a sense of control and confidence in individuals, enhancing their ability to manage IBS. As the understanding of the brain-gut axis continues to expand, integrating mind-body therapies like hypnosis into treatment plans may improve outcomes for those suffering from IBS.
Hypnosis Program for IBS
The 6-session program is based on research by Prof P J Whorwell (Hassan et al. 2021) that showed a positive outcome for 6 hypnotherapy sessions in IBS treatment.
The program consists of 7 sessions, a consultation, then 6 hypnotherapy sessions.
The first session is a consultation to discuss your IBS history and symptoms. We also discuss how to use the gut-brain connection to manage your IBS. We also talk about your mental health to explore whether anxiety, stress, or trauma are contributing factors.
The consultation is followed by 6 hypnotherapy sessions.
These include relaxation techniques, visualisation based on the Manchester method (developed by Prof P J Whorwell), symptom management for bloating, diarrhoea or constipation, stress and anxiety reduction, positive suggestions and self-hypnosis.
You will receive some recordings to listen to between sessions.
Although the program consists of 6 hypnosis sessions, we can add two additional sessions if necessary.
Please click here for prices.
Reference:
Hasan SS, Whorwell PJ, Miller V, Morris J, Vasant DH. Six vs 12 Sessions of Gut-focused Hypnotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomised Trial. Gastroenterology. 2021 Jun;160(7):2605-2607.e3. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.02.058. Epub 2021 Mar 2. PMID: 33662389; PMCID: PMC8202328.
