The gut-brain connection is real
The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication system between the gut microbiome and your brain.
The brain has a direct effect on the stomach and gastrointestinal (GI) system where it can link anxiety to stomach problems and vice versa. Stress can literally make you feel sick to your stomach with a symptom being stomach aches.
Because the brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) system are intimately connected, a person’s stomach or intestinal distress can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress or depression.
The gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to emotion. Anger, anxiety, sadness, elation can all trigger symptoms in the gut.
Stress can affect movement and contractions of the GI tract, make inflammation worse, make you more susceptible to infection and can also make the existing pain seem even worse.