When it comes to gut health, many people are familiar with issues like bloating, indigestion, food sensitivities, and bowel irregularities. These are symptoms often linked to gut dysbiosis, a term for an imbalance in the gut microbiome. People try all kinds of remedies—medications to reduce stomach acid, probiotics, prebiotics, and even the healthiest diets—yet many find themselves stuck in the same cycle of discomfort. So, what’s missing? A key factor often overlooked in gut health is the nervous system. The gut and brain are in constant communication through a pathway called the gut-brain axis. In fact, research shows that more signals travel from your gut to your brain than the other way around. This raises the question: who’s really in charge here—your brain or your gut? The nervous system has three major components that directly influence gut function: the autonomic nervous system, the polyvagal system, and the limbic system. These systems all have direct wiring into your gut, meaning your gut health is closely tied to the state of your nervous system. The Role of the Polyvagal System in Gut HealthOne aspect of the nervous system that's especially relevant to gut function is the polyvagal system, specifically its dorsal branch, which is involved in the freeze response. You might be wondering, what does this have to do with gut health? To explain, let’s go back in time—imagine you’re a gazelle on the African plains. You're grazing, minding your own business, when suddenly a cheetah jumps on you. You can’t escape; there’s no chance. Your body kicks into freeze mode, which is controlled by the dorsal branch of the polyvagal system. Essentially, you "play dead." Believe it or not, this strategy works for some animals. The cheetah might think, "Well, this one’s done," and wander off, allowing the gazelle to make a last-minute escape. Now, as humans, we have the same wiring, but this freeze response can create problems, especially when it gets activated inappropriately. One common issue that arises from the freeze response in the polyvagal system is constipation. When your body is in freeze mode, gastric motility (how your gut moves) slows down or even stops. This is why some people suffer from chronic constipation, despite trying every remedy out there. Their nervous system is overriding their gut function, and until the freeze response is addressed, nothing else will work. Mold Toxicity and the Freeze Response
Another group of people particularly affected by the freeze response are those dealing with mold toxicity. Mold toxicity can trigger an extremely strong freeze response, where individuals feel stuck and unable to take action, even if they know they need to. They might be given a list of supplements, therapies, or tests to try, but they feel paralyzed, unable to move forward. This is another example of how the nervous system can hijack the body’s ability to heal. Healing at the Root: Addressing the Nervous System If you want to get to the root of your gut issues, it’s crucial to address the nervous system. The gut-brain connection is a two-way street, and unless your nervous system is in a state of balance and coherence, you’ll continue to experience digestive problems. Treatments and supplements may help to a certain extent, but true healing happens when we bring the autonomic, polyvagal, and limbic systems back into alignment. At our office, we specialize in helping people bring more coherency and vitality to all parts of their nervous system. By getting these systems back online, we enable your body to heal from the inside out, addressing the root cause of your gut issues rather than just masking symptoms. If you’ve been dealing with chronic gut problems, it may be time to look beyond the typical treatments and start focusing on your nervous system. Schedule your Free Phone Consult now to learn more. * * * Want to learn more about the autonomic, polyvagal, and limbic systems as it relates to your healing and health? Check out this BLOG.
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