The brain areas of interest in IBS also light up for stress.

Researchers have discovered that with IBS, the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) responds to distension of the rectum (this is the bit they were researching, but it is suggestive that it might also apply to other parts of the gut). The ACC  is also the area which responds to anxiety, stressful life events and failures to cope properly. These research findings support observations that there are connections between psychological distress and IBS, along with a greater sensitivity to pain.

This is one of the reasons perhaps that hypnosis works so well. Hypnosis is a powerful treatment for all forms of anxiety. I shall write more shortly about work done on the brain-gut link.