CBT and the Gut-Brain Connection

A recent article on NewsBeezer refers to how CBT and mindfulness can impact the “gut-brain connection.” Nutritionist Dr. Rossi refers to the vagus nerve as the gut-brain connection that impacts both our physical and mental health, stating, “This often means that what’s going on in your brain can influence what’s going on in your gut, and vice versa.”

The article refers to mindfulness practices that can impact how we eat, as well as how these practices effect the brain. One of these examples is mindful eating, which can include paying attention and using the five senses to better understand how you eat and how you feel while eating.

In addition to mindfulness, the article references gut-directed hypnotherapy, breathing exercises, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as evidence-based practices used to treat gut-related issues. A core principle of CBT is that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interrelated. CBT can be used to treat gut-related issues, especially those caused by stress, by providing psychoeducation, relaxation techniques, and cognitive restructuring to help alleviate symptoms. Although these psychological and mindfulness-based practices have shown to improve symptoms, it is vital to recognize that digestive issues should be addressed in conjunction with a medical professional.

Written by Erinne Benedict

Edited by Nicholas Crimarco, Ph.D.

Suggested Resources

What Is Cognitive Behavior Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a type of treatment that is based firmly on research findings. It places emphasis on changing your cognitions (thoughts) or behaviors (actions) in order to effect change in how you feel. These approaches help people in achieving specific changes or goals.

Changes or goals might involve:

A way of acting: like smoking less or being more outgoing;
A way of feeling: like helping a person to be less scared, less depressed, or less anxious;
A way of thinking: like learning to problem-solve or get rid of self-defeating thoughts;
A way of dealing with physical or medical problems: like reducing back pain or helping a person stick to a doctor’s suggestions.

Cognitive behavioral therapists usually focus more on the current situation and its solution, rather than the past. They concentrate on a person’s views and beliefs about their life. CBT is an effective treatment for individuals, parents, children, couples, and families. The goal of CBT is to help people improve and gain more control over their lives by changing behaviors that don’t work well to ones that do.

How to Get Help

If you are looking for help, either for yourself or someone else, you may be tempted to call someone who advertises in a local publication or who comes up from a search of the Internet. You may, or may not, find a competent therapist in this manner. It is wise to check on the credentials of a psychotherapist. It is expected that competent therapists hold advanced academic degrees. They should be listed as members of professional organizations, such as the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies or the American Psychological Association. Of course, they should be licensed to practice in your state. You can find competent specialists who are affiliated with local universities or mental health facilities or who are listed on the websites of professional organizations. You may, of course, visit our website (www.abct.org) and click on “Find a CBT Therapist”

The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) is an interdisciplinary organization committed to the advancement of a scientific approach to the understanding and amelioration of problems of the human condition. These aims are achieved through the investigation and application of behavioral, cognitive, and other evidence-based principles to assessment, prevention, and treatment.