Stress activates your body’s stress response (like cortisol and adrenaline). This can change blood flow, slow or speed up gut movement, and affect how your intestines and stomach handle food.
Stress also interacts with the gut lining and the immune system. It can raise gut sensitivity and inflammation signals, which may make symptoms like bloating, cramps, or reflux more likely.
Your gut microbiome helps run key processes like breaking down fiber and supporting the gut barrier. Under stress, microbiome balance and microbial activity can shift, which may reduce helpful compounds and affect how well your gut stays stable.