Gut Feelings: Does both consciousness and emotion come from our gut?
For many years, it was thought that consciousness resided in the most recent part of the brain, the cerebral cortex, while everything below that in the brain stem was unconscious … Continue reading
I’m not mad. I’ve got IBS.
Is what we call IBS the name given to any one of a number of different unexplained gut disorders or is it a combination of defects in many functional components … Continue reading
The healing power of poetry
In New Jersey even bridges are named after poets. Extending over the Delaware River, the Walt Whitman Bridge connects two distinct cultural communities. To the north is Philadelphia, the proud … Continue reading
Nothing in, nothing out: but is there more to constipation?
Doctors tend not to consider IBS a serious condition; that would be a mistake. Although most people seem to cope with the occasional inconvenience of it and live a normal … Continue reading
No, it’s not all in your head, but at least you can do something about that.
If IBS is all is your head, can somebody tell me how dietary fibre cures depression? … Continue reading
The things that happen: childhood trauma and IBS later in life.
Two weeks ago I received a letter from Judith. This led to the following correspondence, which, with her permission, I have reproduced here with just a few minor edits. Over … Continue reading
When it all becomes too much.
Jenny was waiting outside in the street when I arrived, enjoying one last cigarette. Even though we had only communicated by email, I recognised the tragedy etched on her face. … Continue reading
The Sensitive Gut 