Despite how common IBS is, it remains one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed conditions affecting the gut. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with IBS, suspect you might have it or are just curious about the brain-gut connection, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation, I sit down with my son, Dylan, to tackle some of the most frequently asked questions about IBS — from why gut health is trending to why IBS remains so difficult to treat. It’s an open, honest and evidence-based conversation that brings clarity to a topic that affects millions.

In this conversation, we explore:

- Why gut health has become such a hot topic — and what that has to do with IBS.

- Why the prevalence of IBS hasn’t changed, despite skyrocketing interest in digestive health.

- The limits of current diagnostic criteria and what symptoms are being missed.

- How IBS fits into a larger picture of brain-gut dysregulation, including anxiety, fatigue and poor sleep.

- Whether IBS causes anxiety, or anxiety causes IBS — and what the science says about this “chicken and egg” dilemma.

- Why we still don’t have an effective drug treatment for IBS, and what to consider instead.

In honor of April being IBS Awareness Month, my in-depth IBS course is 70% off through the end of the month. If you want to go beyond the basics and learn actionable strategies backed by the latest science, you’ll find everything you need at emeranmayer.com.

Whether you’re managing symptoms or supporting someone who is, we hope this episode gives you a new perspective on IBS — and a sense of empowerment.

Tune in now and join the conversation! We hope you enjoy.

Chapters:Introduction 0:00 - 1:18

What is behind the gut health craze? 1:18 - 3:35

Prevalence of IBS 3:35 - 6:28

Limitations of current diagnosis criteria 6:28 - 9:16

Anxiety & The Brain-Gut System 9:16 - 15:52

Why are there no effective drug treatments for IBS? 15:52 - 18:55

Leaving it on a positive note 18:55 - 21:03

IBS Resources & Thank You 21:03 - 21:36