Gravity and the Gut: A Hypothesis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Does your irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) flare-up on airplanes, amusement park rides, or while hiking up to higher altitudes? Gravity could be the reason. Dr. Brennan Spiegel, Director of Health Services Research at Cedars-Sinai joins us to discuss a hypothesis he published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology about the effects of gravity on irritable bowel syndrome. Dr. Spiegel explains what we already know about IBS, connects the dots with patient experiences and calls for research in order to determine whether IBS, as well as other gastrointestinal conditions, could result from the body’s inability to manage gravity. He also helps us imagine the possible implications for new treatments based on a new understandings of the role of gravity on the gut.

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[jeremywvarietyofviewpoints]

Good to come up with more hypotheses. Most hypotheses turn out wrong, but some may be right.

[gilliangirl]

I am following this because I think he's really onto something here. Probiotics kinda work but only for so long. Pepto Bismol works but only for so long. Everything for IBS works kinda but only for so long. So is it the chicken or the egg? If gravity is the source of the problem, THAT is what has to get addressed FIRST. When I started following this I decided to buy a rebounder to see if that had any effect. Guess what? I feel better for the first time in years.

[corringtonj]

I came across the gravity and the gut paper a few days ago, read part of it, and was blown away by the creative scientific thinking. It matches well with my experience in fixing my gut issues partially through focusing on correcting my posture and developing core strength. Thanks for the great interview!

[bertwoodshack]

Wonderful interview Gastro Girl Thank You 😀. I would be interested in the role of Circadian rhythms in IBS and other gut disorders. I always find my symptoms ( gas cramps) seem to worsen from around 4pm onwards .

[sophiaroos]

Accurate.I have IBS myself and can see much resemblens with the states. I googled seretonin and saw that it not only effects the mood and ect., but also the bodys thermoregulation. I got IBs and developed a cold allergy (since two years), what now got me thinking, that this also might be related to the seretonin levels in my body.