Have you ever felt an urgent need to use the toilet before a big event or during a stressful moment? This is often referred to as “anxiety poop.” Tap to find out why this happens and what causes it.
Gut-Brain Connection
The gut and brain are closely linked through the enteric nervous system. Anxiety can overstimulate this system, triggering digestive changes.
Increased Stress Hormones
When you’re anxious, your body releases stress hormones, i.e., cortisol and adrenaline, which can speed up gut motility and cause diarrhoea.
Fight or Flight Response
Anxiety can trigger fight or flight mode, diverting energy to essential functions and speeding up bowel movements.
Sensitive Digestive Tract
People with high stress levels often have more sensitive digestive systems, making them more prone to bowel issues like anxiety-induced diarrhoea.
Chronic Anxiety
Chronic anxiety may disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, affecting digestion and increasing the frequency or urgency of bowel movements.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Anxiety can worsen IBS symptoms, such as abdominal cramps, bloating, and frequent loose stools, especially under stress.
Unhealthy Diet
Anxiety can also lead to unhealthy eating or caffeine intake, which may further irritate the gut and trigger sudden bowel movements.
Information Credit
According to PubMed, anxiety can influence gut function due to the gut-brain axis, increasing motility and sensitivity, leading to anxiety poop. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for personalised suggestions.