How This Page Works
This page will list all the studies cited in your booklet, but instead of just dropping academic references, we’ll summarize each study in plain English so that readers can actually understand them.
🔹 Each research citation gets a short, digestible summary
🔹 Readers can click to read the full study
🔹 Explains why each study matters to IBS sufferers
Featured Research:
The Most Important IBS Findings
Title: Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction in IBS (Mayer et al., 2014)
What It Found: IBS is not just a "gut problem"—it’s a disorder of the gut-brain connection. This study showed that people with IBS have miscommunication between the gut and brain, leading to pain, bloating, and unpredictable digestion.
Why It Matters: This explains why stress and anxiety worsen IBS symptoms and why gut-directed hypnotherapy and cognitive therapies can help regulate digestion.
Title: Gut Microbiota Composition in IBS Patients (Pimentel et al., 2020)
What It Found: IBS sufferers have different gut bacteria compared to healthy people. Some bacteria strains are overgrown, while others are missing, leading to poor digestion and bloating.
Why It Matters: This is why probiotics and antibiotics (in some cases) can help, but they need to be used correctly. Not all probiotics work the same way!
Title: FODMAPs and Their Impact on IBS Symptoms (Shepherd & Gibson, 2013)
What It Found: Certain foods—like garlic, onions, and wheat—ferment in the gut and cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea in IBS patients.
Why It Matters: The Low FODMAP Diet can reduce IBS symptoms by 50-80%, but it’s not meant to be permanent! Long-term restriction can harm gut bacteria if not done correctly.
Title: Pharmacological Treatments for IBS (Ford et al., 2020)
What It Found: IBS treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Some people respond well to antispasmodics, fiber, or peppermint oil, while others benefit from serotonin-targeting medications like SSRIs.
Why It Matters: This is why medication often requires trial and error—what works for IBS-D might not help IBS-C. A tailored approach is key.
Title: Visceral Hypersensitivity in IBS Patients (Camilleri, 2018)
What It Found: IBS patients have oversensitive gut nerves, meaning normal digestion feels like pain. Even mild bloating can feel extreme due to how IBS alters pain perception.
Why It Matters: This explains why stress management, gut-directed hypnotherapy, and certain antidepressants help IBS patients reduce pain.
Title: The Impact of Stress on IBS Symptoms (Lacy et al., 2016)
What It Found: Stress activates the "fight or flight" response, which either slows down digestion (constipation) or speeds it up (diarrhea). This happens because the gut and brain are deeply connected.
Why It Matters: This explains why meditation, gut-directed hypnotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can significantly reduce IBS symptoms.
Title: Mechanisms Behind Food Hypersensitivity in IBS (Simrén et al., 2017)
What It Found: IBS patients often report reactions to foods like dairy, gluten, or high-fat meals, even when they don’t have an official allergy. This study found that IBS sufferers have an exaggerated immune response in the gut, which can cause bloating, pain, and discomfort.
Why It Matters: This highlights why IBS isn’t just about diet—it’s about how the gut overreacts to normal food. The solution isn’t just food elimination but also gut healing strategies.