What if I told you that your mood, whether you are anxious, angry depressed, or on the flip side, happy and vibrant, is predominantly dictated by the state of your gut?

Sounds a bit weird, I know, but here’s why this is true.

One of the main parts of your autonomic nervous system (the system that controls all movement in your body) is the enteric nervous system which is located in your GI (gastrointestinal) tract.

The motor neurons of this system control wave-like movements that push food and waste through your intestines, triggers the secretion of digestive enzymes, and also makes use of over 30 neurotransmitters.

These neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine, dopamine and serotonin are what dictate your mood and emotions. 90% of your body’s serotonin is in your gut, as well as 50% of your dopamine!

These are your feel-good hormones, so it makes sense that if your gut is not healthy, your emotions will suffer as well.

I suffered from debilitating anxiety for years. Medication band-aided the symptoms but it wasn’t until I did some major gut healing that my anxiety episodes disappeared. It takes a bit of time and work, but honestly, there is nothing better than an anxiety free life.

Bonus is that bloating, fatigue, and so many of my other issues disappeared as well!

One of the best ways to get a clear picture of what is going on in your gut is with a stool test. It’ll show the good, the bad, and the ugly. I run these in my practice regularly and have helped clients make some major shifts in their health based on the results.

What’s your experience with mood and anxiety? Have you noticed a change in your ‘tude with a change in what you are eating?