Gas pains

[Y1958]

I have an upcoming trip planned and the closer I get to the date the more problems I seem to have. Currently I’m experiencing very bad gas pains causing quite a bit of abdominal discomfort. I don’t understand how your brain can make gas in your intestinal tract and that they hurt so bad. I would like to hear from anyone that had digestive issues particularly abdominal pain and how you resolved it. Thank you

 

[Adam Coloretti (coach)]

I have an upcoming trip planned and the closer I get to the date the more problems I seem to have. Currently I’m experiencing very bad gas pains causing quite a bit of abdominal discomfort. I don’t understand how your brain can make gas in your intestinal tract and that they hurt so bad. I would like to hear from anyone that had digestive issues particularly abdominal pain and how you resolved it. Thank you

Hi! It's important to remember that your brain and TMS can impact basically every system in your body. So what causes gas? Well I'm no gastrointestinal expert but I imagine it's a combination of how you digest food (TMS can impact the digestive system) coupled with how the muscles are functioning (TMS can impact the muscular system). Assuming it's TMS, the theory and strategy are the same regardless of what the symptom is

 

[BloodMoon]

Currently I’m experiencing very bad gas pains causing quite a bit of abdominal discomfort. I don’t understand how your brain can make gas in your intestinal tract and that they hurt so bad.

I asked my 'friend' Perplexity ai for you and it responded with the following (it's quite a long explanation because the mechanism is quite complex):

"In mind–body models (such as TMS/psychophysiological pain), intestinal “gas pain” is usually not caused by excess gas alone, but by a stress‑sensitive gut plus an over‑alert pain system. The brain and gut constantly talk via the gut–brain axis; when the nervous system is in a threat state, normal gut activity and normal amounts of gas can be interpreted as painful.

Core mechanism: brain–gut axis and threat response​

• The gut has its own nervous system (the enteric nervous system) that is tightly linked to the brain through the vagus nerve, spinal pathways, and stress hormones (the HPA axis).
• Psychological stress, anxiety, or strong emotions activate the “fight‑or‑flight” response, releasing CRF, cortisol, and adrenaline. These signals change gut function within minutes. (Corticotropin‑releasing factor, CRF is the brain’s main “stress alarm” chemical/hormone that kicks off the body’s stress response and directly affects the gut.)
• In this state, digestion is deprioritised: blood flow shifts away from the gut, motility becomes erratic (sometimes faster, sometimes slower), and secretions change. Food may move too slowly or too quickly, promoting fermentation and gas production.

How this creates “gas pain” specifically​

Several overlapping processes can make gas feel painful even when there’s no structural disease:

1. Altered motility and fermentation
   
   • Stress can slow parts of the intestine, so food sits longer and gut bacteria ferment it, producing more hydrogen, methane, and CO₂. This increases distension and pressure.
   • In other cases, stress speeds colonic transit, causing cramping and urgency with trapped pockets of gas.
2. Visceral hypersensitivity (sensitised pain pathways)
   • Chronic stress and anxiety: the nervous system over-amplifies ordinary gut sensations on gut pain pathways in the spinal cord and brain (central sensitisation) and sensitize local pain receptors via CRF and immune mediators.
   • As a result, normal amounts of gas or normal intestinal contractions are perceived as sharp, stabbing, or cramping pain. This is a hallmark of functional GI disorders like IBS.
   • Stress hormones (especially CRF) can loosen tight junctions in the gut lining, increasing permeability (“leaky gut”) and triggering local immune activity and histamine release.
   • This low‑grade inflammation further sensitises nerve endings in the gut wall, amplifying pain from stretch and gas.

How this fits a TMS/psychophysiological view​

From a TMS or psychophysiological pain perspective:

• The primary driver is a non‑dangerous but over‑active threat response in the brain, often fueled by stress, perfectionism, health anxiety, or suppressed emotions.
• The gut is a common “output” because it’s densely innervated and highly responsive to stress hormones. Gas and normal motility become the physical “hook” that the brain uses to generate real pain.
• Structural tests are often normal because the problem is functional: normal physiology + sensitised nerves + threat state = pain.

Practical implications (brief)​

Mechanistically, reducing mind–body gas pain usually means:

• Calming the threat response (education, reassurance, TMS work, relaxation, paced breathing)
• Reducing air swallowing (slower eating, nasal/diaphragmatic breathing, managing panic)"

 

[Y1958]

I asked my 'friend' Perplexity ai for you and it responded with the following (it's quite a long explanation because the mechanism is quite complex):

"In mind–body models (such as TMS/psychophysiological pain), intestinal “gas pain” is usually not caused by excess gas alone, but by a stress‑sensitive gut plus an over‑alert pain system. The brain and gut constantly talk via the gut–brain axis; when the nervous system is in a threat state, normal gut activity and normal amounts of gas can be interpreted as painful.

Core mechanism: brain–gut axis and threat response​

• The gut has its own nervous system (the enteric nervous system) that is tightly linked to the brain through the vagus nerve, spinal pathways, and stress hormones (the HPA axis).
• Psychological stress, anxiety, or strong emotions activate the “fight‑or‑flight” response, releasing CRF, cortisol, and adrenaline. These signals change gut function within minutes. (Corticotropin‑releasing factor, CRF is the brain’s main “stress alarm” chemical/hormone that kicks off the body’s stress response and directly affects the gut.)
• In this state, digestion is deprioritised: blood flow shifts away from the gut, motility becomes erratic (sometimes faster, sometimes slower), and secretions change. Food may move too slowly or too quickly, promoting fermentation and gas production.

How this creates “gas pain” specifically​

Several overlapping processes can make gas feel painful even when there’s no structural disease:

1. Altered motility and fermentation
   
   • Stress can slow parts of the intestine, so food sits longer and gut bacteria ferment it, producing more hydrogen, methane, and CO₂. This increases distension and pressure.
   • In other cases, stress speeds colonic transit, causing cramping and urgency with trapped pockets of gas.
2. Visceral hypersensitivity (sensitised pain pathways)
   • Chronic stress and anxiety: the nervous system over-amplifies ordinary gut sensations on gut pain pathways in the spinal cord and brain (central sensitisation) and sensitize local pain receptors via CRF and immune mediators.
   • As a result, normal amounts of gas or normal intestinal contractions are perceived as sharp, stabbing, or cramping pain. This is a hallmark of functional GI disorders like IBS.
   • Stress hormones (especially CRF) can loosen tight junctions in the gut lining, increasing permeability (“leaky gut”) and triggering local immune activity and histamine release.
   • This low‑grade inflammation further sensitises nerve endings in the gut wall, amplifying pain from stretch and gas.

How this fits a TMS/psychophysiological view​

From a TMS or psychophysiological pain perspective:

• The primary driver is a non‑dangerous but over‑active threat response in the brain, often fueled by stress, perfectionism, health anxiety, or suppressed emotions.
• The gut is a common “output” because it’s densely innervated and highly responsive to stress hormones. Gas and normal motility become the physical “hook” that the brain uses to generate real pain.
• Structural tests are often normal because the problem is functional: normal physiology + sensitised nerves + threat state = pain.

Practical implications (brief)​

Mechanistically, reducing mind–body gas pain usually means:

• Calming the threat response (education, reassurance, TMS work, relaxation, paced breathing)
• Reducing air swallowing (slower eating, nasal/diaphragmatic breathing, managing panic)"

So spot on. I’m t

I asked my 'friend' Perplexity ai for you and it responded with the following (it's quite a long explanation because the mechanism is quite complex):

"In mind–body models (such as TMS/psychophysiological pain), intestinal “gas pain” is usually not caused by excess gas alone, but by a stress‑sensitive gut plus an over‑alert pain system. The brain and gut constantly talk via the gut–brain axis; when the nervous system is in a threat state, normal gut activity and normal amounts of gas can be interpreted as painful.

Core mechanism: brain–gut axis and threat response​

• The gut has its own nervous system (the enteric nervous system) that is tightly linked to the brain through the vagus nerve, spinal pathways, and stress hormones (the HPA axis).
• Psychological stress, anxiety, or strong emotions activate the “fight‑or‑flight” response, releasing CRF, cortisol, and adrenaline. These signals change gut function within minutes. (Corticotropin‑releasing factor, CRF is the brain’s main “stress alarm” chemical/hormone that kicks off the body’s stress response and directly affects the gut.)
• In this state, digestion is deprioritised: blood flow shifts away from the gut, motility becomes erratic (sometimes faster, sometimes slower), and secretions change. Food may move too slowly or too quickly, promoting fermentation and gas production.

How this creates “gas pain” specifically​

Several overlapping processes can make gas feel painful even when there’s no structural disease:

1. Altered motility and fermentation
   
   • Stress can slow parts of the intestine, so food sits longer and gut bacteria ferment it, producing more hydrogen, methane, and CO₂. This increases distension and pressure.
   • In other cases, stress speeds colonic transit, causing cramping and urgency with trapped pockets of gas.
2. Visceral hypersensitivity (sensitised pain pathways)
   • Chronic stress and anxiety: the nervous system over-amplifies ordinary gut sensations on gut pain pathways in the spinal cord and brain (central sensitisation) and sensitize local pain receptors via CRF and immune mediators.
   • As a result, normal amounts of gas or normal intestinal contractions are perceived as sharp, stabbing, or cramping pain. This is a hallmark of functional GI disorders like IBS.
   • Stress hormones (especially CRF) can loosen tight junctions in the gut lining, increasing permeability (“leaky gut”) and triggering local immune activity and histamine release.
   • This low‑grade inflammation further sensitises nerve endings in the gut wall, amplifying pain from stretch and gas.

How this fits a TMS/psychophysiological view​

From a TMS or psychophysiological pain perspective:

• The primary driver is a non‑dangerous but over‑active threat response in the brain, often fueled by stress, perfectionism, health anxiety, or suppressed emotions.
• The gut is a common “output” because it’s densely innervated and highly responsive to stress hormones. Gas and normal motility become the physical “hook” that the brain uses to generate real pain.
• Structural tests are often normal because the problem is functional: normal physiology + sensitised nerves + threat state = pain.

Practical implications (brief)​

Mechanistically, reducing mind–body gas pain usually means:

• Calming the threat response (education, reassurance, TMS work, relaxation, paced breathing)
• Reducing air swallowing (slower eating, nasal/diaphragmatic breathing, managing panic)"

I asked my 'friend' Perplexity ai for you and it responded with the following (it's quite a long explanation because the mechanism is quite complex):

"In mind–body models (such as TMS/psychophysiological pain), intestinal “gas pain” is usually not caused by excess gas alone, but by a stress‑sensitive gut plus an over‑alert pain system. The brain and gut constantly talk via the gut–brain axis; when the nervous system is in a threat state, normal gut activity and normal amounts of gas can be interpreted as painful.

Core mechanism: brain–gut axis and threat response​

• The gut has its own nervous system (the enteric nervous system) that is tightly linked to the brain through the vagus nerve, spinal pathways, and stress hormones (the HPA axis).
• Psychological stress, anxiety, or strong emotions activate the “fight‑or‑flight” response, releasing CRF, cortisol, and adrenaline. These signals change gut function within minutes. (Corticotropin‑releasing factor, CRF is the brain’s main “stress alarm” chemical/hormone that kicks off the body’s stress response and directly affects the gut.)
• In this state, digestion is deprioritised: blood flow shifts away from the gut, motility becomes erratic (sometimes faster, sometimes slower), and secretions change. Food may move too slowly or too quickly, promoting fermentation and gas production.

How this creates “gas pain” specifically​

Several overlapping processes can make gas feel painful even when there’s no structural disease:

1. Altered motility and fermentation
   
   • Stress can slow parts of the intestine, so food sits longer and gut bacteria ferment it, producing more hydrogen, methane, and CO₂. This increases distension and pressure.
   • In other cases, stress speeds colonic transit, causing cramping and urgency with trapped pockets of gas.
2. Visceral hypersensitivity (sensitised pain pathways)
   • Chronic stress and anxiety: the nervous system over-amplifies ordinary gut sensations on gut pain pathways in the spinal cord and brain (central sensitisation) and sensitize local pain receptors via CRF and immune mediators.
   • As a result, normal amounts of gas or normal intestinal contractions are perceived as sharp, stabbing, or cramping pain. This is a hallmark of functional GI disorders like IBS.
   • Stress hormones (especially CRF) can loosen tight junctions in the gut lining, increasing permeability (“leaky gut”) and triggering local immune activity and histamine release.
   • This low‑grade inflammation further sensitises nerve endings in the gut wall, amplifying pain from stretch and gas.

How this fits a TMS/psychophysiological view​

From a TMS or psychophysiological pain perspective:

• The primary driver is a non‑dangerous but over‑active threat response in the brain, often fueled by stress, perfectionism, health anxiety, or suppressed emotions.
• The gut is a common “output” because it’s densely innervated and highly responsive to stress hormones. Gas and normal motility become the physical “hook” that the brain uses to generate real pain.
• Structural tests are often normal because the problem is functional: normal physiology + sensitised nerves + threat state = pain.

Practical implications (brief)​

Mechanistically, reducing mind–body gas pain usually means:

• Calming the threat response (education, reassurance, TMS work, relaxation, paced breathing)
• Reducing air swallowing (slower eating, nasal/diaphragmatic breathing, managing panic)"

that is so spot on. I’m trying to get myself relaxed, went for a long walk, keep telling myself I’m safe per Howard Schubener, I journaled done this morning on why going on this trip is bothering so much. I don’t know how to release by suppressed emotions as I’m not sure I even know what they are

 

[BloodMoon]

I journaled done this morning on why going on this trip is bothering so much

It may be that you simply don't want to go on this trip. Dr Sarno told the story in one of his books about how he went on a road trip with his wife and the whole time he experienced gastric disturbance. Later he realised that he hadn't wanted to go on the trip; he went on it because his wife wanted to go and he wanted to please her and not be the bad guy. Rightly or wrongly, his brain was angry about this. Dr Sarno also said to counteract one's rage all that might be required is to self-soothe more to balance things out. There are lots of videos on YouTube that teach simple ways of doing this. This imo is a good one:

and my personal favourite channel for this is...

https://www.youtube.com/@SomaticSkillsWithEmily

Emily, whose channel it is has just put up a video about releasing stress and tension: