The brain-gut mystery: what’s really causing your IBS? with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz

IBS affects over 300 million people globally, yet remains one of the most misunderstood gut conditions. In this episode, we explore the latest science uncovering the real drivers behind IBS - and why your gut microbiome may hold the key to understanding it.

Joining us is Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, a board-certified gastroenterologist and ZOE’s U.S. Medical Director. Dr. Will breaks down why IBS is so difficult to diagnose, how stress and modern lifestyles are making symptoms more common, and what “problematic” poo can tell us.

We then dive into the science: how the gut-brain axis influences everything from pain to food intolerances, why women are disproportionately affected, and how a disrupted microbiome plays a central role in IBS.

Finally, Dr. Will shares practical strategies backed by the latest research -  from dietary changes to cutting-edge treatments - offering hope for healing and prevention.

Whether you're living with IBS or simply want to understand your gut better, this episode is packed with insights into one of the most common yet elusive health conditions of our time.

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📚Books by our ZOE Scientists

The Food For Life Cookbook

Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati

Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector

Free resources from ZOE

Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition

Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks 

Mentioned in today's episode

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the Gut Microbiome: A Comprehensive Review (2023) 

Diet and gut microbial associations in irritable bowel syndrome according to disease subtype (2023)

The association between low birth weight, childhood recollections of parental response to illness, and irritable bowel syndrome: a twin study (2020)

Analysis of brain networks and fecal metabolites reveals brain–gut alterations in premenopausal females with irritable bowel syndrome (2020)

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Episode transcripts are available here.