The Psychogastroenterologist Podcast

     hosted by Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., M.S., M.S.   

What is Psychogastroenterology? 

• • Psychogastroenterology shows us how gut health impacts brain health through the gut-brain axis. 
  • Psychogastroenterology offers a promising, integrative framework to prevent and mitigate co-occurring psychological and gastrointestinal (GI) issues. 
  • The field of psychogastroenterology applies insights from the biopsychosocial model in helping professionals better understand, identify, and treat gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. 
  • The nascent field of psychogastroenterology is also rooted in research findings from the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and gastroenterology.

The Psychogastroenterologist podcast explores the world of the gut-brain axis and all things digestive health through a lens of neuroscience, behavioral health, lifestyle medicine, neurocriminology, and nutritional science research findings. Dedicated to advancing the field of psychogastroenterology, this podcast offers listeners relatable and easy-to-understand information by examining cutting-edge research findings from various interrelated disciplines. The host carefully highlights how these findings can be applied in the practice of professionals working in a diverse array of settings. The principal goal of the Psychogastroenterologist podcast is to raise awareness among professionals about how these topics can improve clinical, forensic, and public health decision-making and outcomes.

This innovative podcast offers insights from the world of psychogastroenterology. It takes a deep dive into the research literature, providing key takeaways, practical information in simple language, and suggestions on how listeners can apply this information to everyday professional practice. We will be discussing a wide array of topics in 2026 and beyond, including but not limited to:

Topics

• • What is Psychogastroenterology?
  • What is the Gut-Brain Axis? 
  • What is the Autonomic Nervous System?
  • What is the HPA Axis?
  • Pediatric Constipation 
  • Poor Dietary Habits and Practices and Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction 
  • Tobacco Use and Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction 
  • Migraine and Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction: A Complicated Relationship 
  • Type 2 Diabetes and Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction: A Complicated Relationship 
  • Excessive Sugar Consumption and Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction 
  • Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction and Poor Sleep Health: A Complicated Relationship 
  • Green Tea Consumption and Gastrointestinal Health: What Does the Science Say? 
  • Coffee Consumption and Gastrointestinal Health: What Does the Science Say? 
  • Kiwi Fruit Consumption and Gastrointestinal Health: What Does the Science Say? 
  • Gut-Skin Axis: Psychogastroenterology Meets Psychodermatology 
  • Food Insecurity and Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction 
  • Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction and Behavioral Problems: Another Piece of the Crime Puzzle? 
  • Gut Bone Axis: Implications for Bone Health and Bone-Related Diseases 
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Depression: A Complicated Relationship 
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Gastrointestinal Problems 
  • Alexithymia and Poor Gut Health: What’s the Connection? 
  • Sleep Disordered Breathing and Poor Gut Health: What’s the Connection?

 Gut-Brain Axis 

• • The gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in regulating and/or influencing food intake patterns, metabolism, immune system, insulin levels, digestive health, perceptions of satiety, cognitive function, stress response, and mood, among other functions. 
  • The bedrock of the gut-brain axis is bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system.  
    • This operates through various neural, immune and hormonal pathways. 
    • Other components of the gut-brain axis include the gut microbiota, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and the vagus nerve. 
  • Studies on the gut-brain axis have demonstrated that the brain’s cognitive and emotional processing directly impacts gastrointestinal functions and vice versa. 

 Overview of Gastrointestinal Problems 

• • Millions suffer from GI issues, yet only a minority are properly diagnosed and receive appropriate treatment. 
  • Symptoms can include bowel irregularities (e.g., accidental bowel leakage, constipation, and diarrhea), gastroesophageal reflux, nausea, pain, vomiting, and more. 
  • Quality of life can be seriously undermined by these potentially debilitating problems. 
  • Those with GI concerns tend to have more frequent interactions with healthcare providers and have higher overall healthcare visits yet rarely consider the role a behavioral health specialist can also play in the treatment of digestive health problems. 

Common Consequences of Gastrointestinal Problems 

• • Fatigue 
  • Malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies 
  • Mental health problems 
  • Physical discomfort 
  • Psychological stress 
  • Skin problems 
  • Sleep issues 

Potential Causes of Gastrointestinal Problems 

• • Alexithymia
  • Brain injury 
  • Certain medications 
  • Certain neurological diseases 
  • Chronic stress exposure and dysregulated stress responses 
  • COVID (SARS‐CoV‐2) 
  • Dehydration 
  • Dietary choices (e.g., Western diet), eating patterns (e.g., overeating), and food sensitivities 
  • Drug, alcohol, and tobacco use 
  • Environmental toxin exposure 
  • Mental health difficulties (e.g., anxiety and depression) 
  • Metabolic syndrome 
  • Physical inactivity and obesity 
  • Prenatal and/or early life exposure to adversity, trauma, and hardship 
  • Sleep difficulties and circadian rhythm misalignment 
  • Unbalanced lifestyle

Collaborative and Integrative Care

• • Psychogastroenterology has the potential to improve short- and long-term outcomes across the areas of brain health, digestive health, physical health, behavioral and mental health, and diet and nutrition. 
  • No single professional can master the neuroscience, psychology, gastroenterology, and nutritional expertise needed to holistically address digestive health problems and co-occurring physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. 
  • This field requires interdisciplinary collaboration among gastroenterologists, other medical practitioners, mental health professionals, nutritionists, and other related disciplines. 
  • Adoption of psychogastroenterology-based principles can complement other established approaches from counseling, substance use treatment, nutritional science, exercise science, neuroscience, pain science, child development, psychoneuroimmunology, forensic psychology and more. 
  • Psychogastroenterology has the potential to improve short- and long-term outcomes across the areas of brain health, digestive health, physical health, behavioral and mental health, and diet and nutrition. 

Potential Applications or Uses 

• • Enhanced understanding of gut-brain axis

    • Gut health’s influence on digestive and mental health problems. 
    • Common etiologies of gastrointestinal and psychological problems. 
    • Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) (irritable bowel syndrome, functional diarrhea, functional constipation, functional dyspepsia, reflux hypersensitivity, and more).

  • Treatment

    • Professionals should prioritize improving gut health functioning when treating mental health, behavioral health, and chronic health problems.
    • Psychogastroenterology-focused interventions should consider incorporating approaches such as GI-cognitive behavioral therapy (GI-CBT), mindfulness-based strategies, gut-directed hypnotherapy, trauma-informed care, applied positive psychology, psychoeducation, sleep improvement strategies, exercise and dietary interventions, and reducing environmental toxin exposure, among others.
    • Clients with gastrointestinal problems will likely benefit from developing effective coping skills that help reduce distress, fear, stigma, and suffering. 

  • Gut-brain health and the law

    • Emerging research suggests that the gut-brain axis may play a role in problematic and concerning behavior (e.g., antisocial behavior and substance abuse).

Professionals working in criminal justice, forensic mental health, neurocriminology, and legal settings may benefit from learning more about the field of psychogastroenterology.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. The content discussed should not replace professional judgment, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical or psychological concerns. The views expressed by our hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organizations. There is a dire need for the increased availability of training and advanced education programs focused on psychogastroenterology. This podcast aims to help fill this gap.