33. IBS and the Gut-Brain Connection: 3 Nervous System Tools for Relief with Dr. Megan Riehl Artwork

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IBS Nutrition Podcast by The IBS Dietitian

33. IBS and the Gut-Brain Connection: 3 Nervous System Tools for Relief with Dr. Megan Riehl

July 21, 2026 • Jessie Wong, Registered Dietitian and Gut Expert • Episode 33

0:00 | 32:06

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Do you get sweaty, dizzy, clammy feeling on the toilet?

If your scopes came back "normal" but your symptoms are very real, this episode is for you. GI psychologist Dr. Megan Riehl joins Jessie to unpack why IBS is now classified as a Disorder of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI), what the vasovagal response has to do with your flare-ups, and how your autonomic nervous system may be driving cramping, urgency, and that clammy "oh no" bathroom feeling.

You'll learn:

What DGBI actually means and why the name change matters
The science behind the gut-brain axis and vasovagal reactions
When to consider working with a GI psychologist
3 evidence-based tools you can use today: diaphragmatic breathing, body scanning, and gentle movement

Dr. Riehl is Director of the GI Behavioral Health Program at the University of Michigan and co-author of Mind Your Gut. Tune in for validating science and practical relief you can start using today.

Resources Mentioned:

Episode Timestamps:

00:54 — Introduction: Why Your "Normal" Scopes Don't Mean It's All in Your Head
03:05 — What Is a DGBI? The Shift from "Functional" GI Disorders to Gut-Brain Interaction
05:56 — Common Symptoms Driven by the Gut-Brain Connection
06:54 — Vasovagal Reactions Explained: The Sweaty, Dizzy Bathroom Feeling
08:42 — Your Autonomic Nervous System: Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic
11:49 — When to Work with a GI Psychologist (and How It's Different from General Therapy)
15:21 — Tool #1: Diaphragmatic Breathing to Calm Your Gut
18:02 — Tool #2: Body Scanning to Release Hidden Tension
22:08 — Tool #3: Gentle Movement Without the All-or-Nothing Mindset
24:49 — Rapid Fire: Weeknight Dinners, Coffee, and Dr. Riehl's 60-Second Nervous System Reset

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