Zachary Stephens | May 9, 2025

Why Your “Gut Feeling” Might Be Smarter Than You Think

Gut Health

trust your gut

Have you ever had a “gut feeling” about something—and been right? That’s not just a figure of speech. Science is now catching up to what intuition has told us all along: the gut and the brain are deeply connected.

This connection, known as the gut-brain axis, is a two-way communication system linking your gut and your brain through a network of nerves, hormones, and chemical messengers. And your gut microbiome, the trillions of bacteria and other microbes living in your digestive tract, plays a key role in this relationship.

gut is talking

Your Gut Is Talking (And Your Brain Is Listening)

The gut is often referred to as the “second brain” for a reason. It contains its own complex nervous system, the enteric nervous system, which communicates constantly with the central nervous system. The vagus nerve is one of the main communication highways, sending information back and forth between your gut and brain.

But that’s not all. The microbes in your gut help produce important compounds, including:

  • Neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA that influence mood and calmness

  • Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that support the integrity of the gut lining and may even have signaling effects in the brain

  • Hormonal signals that help regulate stress response, appetite, and more

This means the balance of microbes in your gut can influence how you feel, mentally and emotionally.

brain

Mood, Mindset, and Microbes

Many people notice shifts in mood or mental clarity when they improve their digestion, clean up their diet, or take steps to support a healthier microbiome. I don’t know about you, but when my digestion is on point, my whole mood lifts. And when it’s not? It throws off everything.

A healthy gut environment can support a greater sense of balance, calm, and well-being. It’s not just about food sensitivities or occasional bloating anymore, your gut might be influencing how you handle stress, your energy levels, and even how grounded or optimistic you feel throughout the day.

That classic "gut instinct"? It’s more than a poetic metaphor. There’s evidence to suggest that your gut may pick up on signals before your conscious mind even processes them. It’s part of the deep communication between your biology and your brain.

brain

Supporting the Gut-Brain Connection

Want to keep your gut and brain in sync? Here are a few simple strategies:

  • Feed your microbes: Eat a variety of fiber-rich foods like fruits, veggies, legumes, and whole grains. These serve as prebiotics—fuel for beneficial bacteria.

  • Include fermented foods: Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and other fermented foods naturally contain probiotics.

  • Minimize stress: Chronic stress can disrupt the gut. Breathing exercises, sleep, movement, and time outdoors can all support a healthier gut-brain axis.

  • Stay hydrated and move your body: These simple habits help keep digestion and communication flowing.

f50 cta

Support Your Gut-Brain Connection with Floracil50

Floracil50 is a high-potency probiotic supplement featuring 50 billion CFUs from 8 scientifically studied strains—including Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium longum, known for their gut-brain benefits. These strains not only support a healthy digestive environment, but also play a role in promoting mood balance and stress resilience. Whether you're aiming for smoother digestion, better regularity, or a clearer, more focused mind, Floracil50 helps reinforce your gut’s ability to communicate effectively with your brain—so you can feel more like yourself, every day.

Final Thoughts

The gut-brain axis is a powerful reminder that your body is more interconnected than you might think. Your gut doesn’t just digest food—it may play a part in shaping your thoughts, feelings, and intuition.

So the next time you get a “gut feeling,” trust it—and feed it well.

References

  1. Appleton J. The Gut-Brain Axis: Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental Health. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2018;17(4):28-32.

  2. Carabotti M, Scirocco A, Maselli MA, Severi C. The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems. Ann Gastroenterol. 2015;28(2):203-209.