Matter.

Neurotransmitters, also known as ‘chemical messengers’, help the brain communicate with tissues, muscles, and organs to control bodily functions. They facilitate nerve impulses traveling from one neuron to another neuron or cell. From your gut to your head and even your emotions, these messengers are behind almost everything that goes on inside of you.

Yep, it's just like the book says: everybody poops. So, why then is it so hard to talk about it? These days, people talk openly about all sorts of medical issues and relationship problems. Yet, discussions of bowel movements and toilet visits are usually avoided. Poop might be totally natural, but it's still a taboo topic connected to feelings of shame and embarrassment. Sounds unfair? It is. Especially if you're one of the millions of people worldwide suffering from a gastrointestinal condition like IBS.

Drinking with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): How much is too much, and is it worth the potential flare-up? While you may enjoy an occasional drink, it’s important not to overlook your drinking habits when considering your triggers. If you have IBS, try monitoring the effect alcohol has on your body to better understand how much alcohol you can drink without irritating your gut. Some people with IBS decide to eliminate alcohol altogether, while others choose to enjoy alcohol in moderation.

Whether it's a day trip or the trip of a lifetime, traveling with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be an anxiety-provoking experience. Unfamiliar situations, strange foods, and new environments that disrupt your daily routine can all potentially worsen gut symptoms. If you've ever found yourself desperately searching for a public bathroom in an unfamiliar place, then you know the kind of travel stresses we're talking about.

The tree is up, the candles are glowing, and the only thing left to do is enjoy a happy holiday, right? If IBS is making your season more stressful than silly, there are several things you can do to get back on track.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a common treatment for difficult menopause symptoms. If you’re suffering from some of the more uncomfortable side effects of menopause, like hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia, you may wish to select from a range of natural treatment options to keep symptoms at bay. However, if your symptoms are severely impacting your daily life, you may want to speak to your doctor about the benefits and risks of HRT or look into another alternative treatment, like menopause hypnotherapy. Estrogen and progesterone deficiency during menopause causes various changes in the body. Let’s discuss what you can expect when entering menopause and whether it might be time to bring up HRT with your doctor.

Want to talk to your doctor about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? It's not always easy to discuss sensitive subjects. Even if they've heard it all before, it might be the first time you've spoken to a healthcare professional about your symptoms—or the first time you’ve thought about what kinds of treatments you want to try.

Have you ever found yourself deeply absorbed in a movie or book? If so, you may have experienced hypnosis, a naturally occurring state of consciousness. Hypnosis can be induced with help from a therapist or alone. In self-hypnosis, you listen to your own suggestions to achieve your goals. For people with anxiety, self-hypnosis can help them calm anxious nerves and soothe excessive worrying. Read on to learn how to perform self-hypnosis and reduce symptoms of anxiety.

Many mums-to-be experience a range of digestive issues during pregnancy, including diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, vomiting, nausea, and bloating. While not every pregnancy will include all these symptoms, few expectant mothers are lucky enough to avoid all digestive upset.

Scared of having an IBS attack at work? You're not alone. Working with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be difficult for many people. Whether it's the fear of an IBS flare-up, embarrassment about sharing a bathroom, or experiencing concentration difficulties—it can feel like there are countless ways IBS can stop you from feeling comfortable and confident at work.

Sleep hygiene is as important as physical hygiene: it's essential to our health, our wellbeing, and our longevity. Yet, despite its importance, many people struggle to get enough good quality sleep.

When every bite of food can take one step closer to spending the night on the toilet, you may start to become overly wary of what—and where—you eat.

We all know IBS can be a pain in the gut—but did you know it can be a pain in the back, head, and jaw too? After bloating, pain is the most common IBS symptom, with more than 75% of all people with IBS experiencing frequent or constant abdominal pain. IBS pain is often reported in the lower abdomen, though people may experience pain directly or indirectly related to IBS in multiple places around the body.

"I don’t feel attractive or desirable when I am gassy or having frequent bowel movements".

Want to try hypnosis to quit smoking? Science shows that it may be an effective tool to help you kick the habit for good. Many people find it extremely difficult to stop smoking—so difficult, in fact, that recent research suggests it can take around 30 attempts to successfully quit.

How does it feel to have anxiety? When people talk about anxiety, you might immediately imagine someone who worries excessively. While this is part of the anxiety experience, the effects of anxiety can be seen and felt in the body, too.

What is menopause and when will it start? While some people call the time leading up to their last period ‘menopause’, menopause is actually when your period stops permanently. The process of menopause usually starts when a woman is around 45 years old and is a natural part of aging whereby the ovaries slowly stop producing hormones, such as estrogen.

Feeling cursed with an irritable bowel but still want a happy (candy-filled) Halloween? While IBS flare-ups can be frightful at any time of year, many people find that Halloween treats can trigger a variety of uncomfortable gut symptoms, such as pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.

Growth mindset or fixed mindset—can the way we think about ourselves and our abilities shape our lives? Absolutely. The way we think about our intellect and talents not only affects the way we feel, it can also affect what we achieve, whether we stick to new habits, or if we will go on to develop new skills.

If you have IBS, you’ve probably wondered “is there a scientifically-proven diet to improve my symptoms?” We’re here to tell you that, yes, there is! The low FODMAP diet has been shown in numerous studies to improve symptoms such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain for people with IBS.

Looking for ways to treat your IBS at home? Whether you’re searching for relief between doctor’s appointments or wanting to take control of your symptoms without medication, there are a range of effective at-home treatments for IBS. Lifestyle changes, diet changes, or even gut-brain hypnotherapy programs can improve IBS symptoms. And, as an added bonus, many at-home remedies are simple to do and are low or no cost.

Have you ever wondered why poops are different during your period? While people might not talk about it, most women will experience a monthly change in their toilet habits. In addition to your period causing symptoms like headaches, bloating, and skin breakouts, your menstrual cycle can also affect your digestive system. One reason for this is because the same hormones that stimulate uterine contractions can also stimulate your bowels. The result: period poops. 

Looking for ways to calm an IBS flare up? You're not alone. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition affecting around 15% of people, with symptoms including stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Although IBS is typically a chronic (long-lasting) condition, many people's symptoms come and go. If you're experiencing an increase in symptoms, here are some helpful strategies to soothe an IBS flare-up.

Can peppermint oil help with IBS? Peppermint oil has been used for centuries as a lip balm, toothpaste, and cold remedy but recent evidence shows that it is useful for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Have you ever found yourself deeply engrossed in a book? Or so caught up in a film that time seemed to pass effortlessly? If so, you may have experienced a routine form of hypnosis, what many practitioners refer to as the “everyday trance.”