Trust Your Gut

May 4, 2026

Writer: Ansley Lilley

Editor: Talia Kohn

We’ve all heard the phrase “trust your gut.” It usually comes up when you’re deciding whether to go out, what to eat, or how you feel about someone. Most people think of it as intuition, just a feeling you can’t quite explain. But what if your “gut feeling” isn’t just something emotional? What if it’s actually biological? Scientists have recently discovered that your gut and brain are constantly communicating through something called the gut-brain axis (Carabotti M, Scirocco A, Maselli MA, Severi C.) This system connects your digestive system to your brain through nerves, hormones, and chemical signals. That means your stomach doesn’t just digest the food you eat, but it also influences how you feel, think, and react to the world around you.

Inside your gut lives a massive community of bacteria known as the gut microbiome. This may sound scary, but these microbes are actually essential for your body to function properly. They help break down food, produce vitamins, and regulate your immune system (Cleveland Clinic). Even more surprising, about 90% of serotonin, which is the chemical that helps regulate mood and happiness, is produced in your gut (Bektaş A, Erdal H, Ulusoy M, Uzbay IT). This explains why your gut health can directly impact how you feel emotionally. When your gut is out of balance, it can contribute to feelings of anxiety, stress, and even depression. This might explain why you feel “butterflies” in your stomach when you’re nervous or lose your appetite when you’re stressed. 

Beyond mood, gut health affects things you might not immediately connect to digestion. For example, your skin can reflect what’s happening inside your gut. Inflammation or imbalances in gut bacteria can contribute to things like acne or redness (De Pessemier B, Grine L, Debaere M, Maes A, Paetzold B, Callewaert C). Additionally, your ability to focus and think clearly can also be influenced by your gut. Poor gut health has been linked to fatigue and brain fog, making it harder to concentrate in school or daily life. Your gut even plays a role in your cravings. Certain types of bacteria thrive on sugar and processed foods, and they can actually influence what your body craves. This means that cravings aren’t always just about willpower; they can be connected to the balance of bacteria in your digestive system. Furthermore, about 80% of your immune system cells are located in your gut, meaning your body’s ability to fight off illness is closely tied to how healthy your gut is (Cleveland Clinic).

So what does it really mean to “trust your gut”? It’s not just about intuition anymore; it’s about listening to your body. Paying attention to how you feel after eating, noticing patterns in your energy levels, and recognizing when something feels off are all ways your gut communicates with you. Instead of ignoring those signals, understanding them can help you take better care of your overall health. Contrary to what you might see while scrolling on social media, maintaining good gut health doesn’t require extreme diets or expensive products. Simple habits can make a big difference. Eating a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, and fiber helps support healthy bacteria. Foods like yogurt and other fermented options can introduce beneficial microbes into your system. Staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and managing stress are also important, since stress can negatively affect gut function.

Your gut is so much more than just a part of your digestive system—it’s a powerful influence on your physical and mental well-being. The phrase “trust your gut” turns out to be more meaningful than it seems. Your body is constantly sending you signals, and learning to recognize them can help you feel healthier, more energized, and more in control of your life. So next time you have a “gut feeling,” don’t ignore it. Recognize that it might just be your body trying to tell you something important.

Works Cited

Carabotti, Marilia, et al. “The Gut-Brain Axis: Interactions Between Enteric Microbiota, Central and Enteric Nervous Systems.” Annals of Gastroenterology, 2015.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4367209/.

“The Gut Microbiome.” Cleveland Clinic,https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/25201-gut-microbiome.

Bektaş, A., et al. “Does Serotonin in the Intestines Make You Happy?” Cureus, 2020.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7659911/.

De Pessemier, B., et al. “Gut–Skin Axis: Current Knowledge of the Interrelationship Between Microbial Dysbiosis and Skin Conditions.” Microorganisms, 2021.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7916842/.