For many sufferers, IBS symptoms are worse after dinner. This is due to an exaggerated movement and sensation response by the gut nerves. The gut has a huge nervous system, and is often referred to as the "second brain" because it is so large and developed.

So after a meal, these nerves trigger responses blown out of proportion - bigger movement of the gut, maybe including spasms, and heightened sensitivity, including pain.

Magnus Simren and colleagues at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, researched whether hypnosiss, which works so well for IBS generally, would help with these particular after-meal symptoms.

Half of the patients were given supportive therapy. Half were given hypnotherapy. Both groups were seen for one hour a week for 12 weeks.

The results showed that hypnotherapy reduces significantly these after dinner symptoms, the pain in particular.

Many people find it extraordinary that hypnosis can deal so effectively with these gut symptoms. We don't really know how hypnosis works, but there is plenty of evidence to show how it does. The gut-brain link is very well-developed, due to the huge quantity of neurons in the gut linking up with the brain. So that is probably a key to the success of gut-directed hypnotherapy.
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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.
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