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In this episode of the IBS Nutrition Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Ali Navidi — a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of GI Psychology — to explore how the gut-brain connection drives IBS symptoms, and how targeted psychological treatment can lead to lasting relief.

We dive into what the gut-brain axis really is (without the medical jargon), when to seek support from a GI psychologist, and how tools like gut-directed CBT and clinical hypnosis can break the vicious cycle of symptom-anxiety-symptom. Whether you’ve been told “it’s all in your head” or you’re feeling stuck after trying diet changes alone, this episode will show you that IBS relief is possible with the right care team.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✔ What the gut-brain axis is and how it fuels IBS symptoms

✔ Why IBS isn’t “just in your head” (and how to break the shame cycle)

✔ When to seek support from a GI psychologist — and why sooner is better

✔ How treatment works: CBT, hypnotherapy, and tailored assessment

✔ The role of food fear, avoidance, and nervous system dysregulation

✔ Dr. Navidi’s top 3 actionable tips to calm your gut and mind right now

Timestamps:

[00:00] Welcome & intro to Dr. Ali Navidi

[01:32] What is the gut-brain connection?

[04:18] Why IBS isn’t "just in your head"

[07:37] Hypervigilance and the anxiety feedback loop

[09:39] When to seek GI psych support

[13:01] How assessments & treatment work

[15:39] Gut-directed CBT vs. clinical hypnosis

[17:53] Avoidance behaviours in IBS

[20:55] Key takeaways for managing IBS

[21:07] Dr. Navidi’s 3 actionable steps for symptom relief

[26:05] Final message to IBS sufferers

[27:36] How to access more support

Resources Mentioned:

🎓 Free IBS Relief Masterclass – Learn our 3-step approach to managing IBS: https://ibsdietitian.com/masterclass

📋 Free Symptom Tracker – Start tracking your symptoms today: https://poopedia.org/resources

Dr Navidi Website: gipsychology.com

GI Psychology Instagram: https://instagram.com/gipsychusa

Dr Navidi Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gipsychology/posts

🔔 Stay Connected & Get More IBS Support:

📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ibs.dietitian

🖥️ Free IBS Relief Masterclass: https://ibsdietitian.com/masterclass

💬 Join our IBS Facebook Community: IBS Support For Women

⭐ Love this episode? Leave us a 5-star review! It helps us reach more people who need IBS support.

🎧 Subscribe to the IBS Nutrition Podcast on: 📌 Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

🚀 Ready to take control of your IBS? Tune in now!

Send us a text

In this episode, host Jessie Wong talks with Stacy, a past client who struggled with severe diarrhea, fatigue, and cramps due to IBS for over a decade. Discover how they worked together to identify Stacy IBS triggers and avoid unnecessary elimination diets, leading to complete symptom relief in just four weeks. Learn about why not everyone with IBS needs a low FODMAP diet and how proper symptom tracking and evidence-based guidance can transform your gut health journey.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✔ Stacy’s battle with IBS symptoms since teenage years

✔ Using Tums and Imodium – temporary fixes that didn’t solve the root issue

✔ How Stacy’s GI doctor and working with a dietitian fit together

✔ The trigger identification process (no low FODMAP required)

✔ Life after IBS: freedom, symptom control, and no more bathroom emergencies

✔ Stacy’s top advice: Don’t DIY restrictive diets – work with a pro

Timestamps:

[00:00] Meet Stacy and her IBS journey

[02:38] Life before IBS: symptoms since teenage years

[04:14] Stacy’s daily struggle: diarrhea, cramps, and exhaustion

[07:33] Managing symptoms: Tums, Imodium, and frustration

[12:43] Deciding to work with a dietitian for real answers

[17:52] The truth about low FODMAP diets (and why Stacy didn’t need it)

[22:49] How we pinpointed Stacy’s food triggers without going low FODMAP

[28:10] Life today: symptom-free and confident

[29:43] Stacy’s advice for anyone with IBS

Resources Mentioned:

Ep 18 With Bailey Hanna

Ep 6 With Dr Andrea Love

🎓 Free IBS Relief Masterclass – Learn our 3-step approach to managing IBS: https://ibsdietitian.com/masterclass

📋 Free Symptom Tracker – Start tracking your symptoms today: https://poopedia.org/resources

🔔 Stay Connected & Get More IBS Support:

📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ibs.dietitian

🖥️ Free IBS Relief Masterclass: https://ibsdietitian.com/masterclass

💬 Join our IBS Facebook Community: IBS Support For Women

⭐ Love this episode? Leave us a 5-star review! It helps us reach more people who need IBS support.

🎧 Subscribe to the IBS Nutrition Podcast on: 📌 Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

🚀 Ready to take control of your IBS? Tune in now!

Send us a text

Confused about probiotics and IBS? You're not alone. In this episode, Jessie Wong sits down with IBS dietitian Bailey Hanna, founder of IBSProbiotics.org, to break down the myths, the marketing, and the actual science behind probiotic use for IBS.

Bailey shares the truth about what probiotics can (and can't) do, how to tell if you're a good candidate, and why "gut health" isn't a reason to reach for just any supplement. Plus, you'll hear her 5-step framework for safely and effectively trialing a probiotic based on your specific IBS symptoms.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✔ What probiotics actually are (and what they aren’t)

✔ The difference between probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and synbiotics

✔ Why strain-level specificity matters

✔ The real state of probiotic research in IBS

✔ Red flags to watch for in the supplement aisle

✔ A 5-step probiotic strategy for IBS patients

Timestamps:

[00:00] Welcome & intro to Bailey Hanna, RD

[01:27] What is a probiotic?

[02:34] Prebiotics, synbiotics & postbiotics explained

[09:06] Quality & quantity of probiotic research in IBS

[16:00] Do you need **probiotics for gut health?

[23:24] Introducing IBSProbiotics.org

[28:05] 5-step framework for choosing probiotics wisely

[42:08] What to look for in third-party testing

[45:54] How to take and evaluate a probiotic properly

[50:12] Client story: When probiotics make symptoms worse

[55:00] The truth about gut microbiome testing

[58:57] Final thoughts & advice for IBS patients

Resources Mentioned:

🧠 IBS Probiotic Evidence Database – Search probiotics by symptom, strain, or evidence quality: https://ibsprobiotics.org

🔍 Probiotic Product Finder – Find commercial probiotic products with third-party testing: https://probioticfinder.org

🌐 ISAPP – Learn more about probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics & postbiotics: https://isappscience.org

🎓 Free IBS Relief Masterclass – Learn our 3-step approach to managing IBS: https://ibsdietitian.com/masterclass

📋 Free Symptom Tracker – Start tracking your symptoms today: https://poopedia.org/resources

🔔 Stay Connected & Get More IBS Support:

📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ibs.dietitian

🖥️ Free IBS Relief Masterclass: https://ibsdietitian.com/masterclass

💬 Join our IBS Facebook Community: IBS Support For Women

⭐ Love this episode? Leave us a 5-star review! It helps us reach more people who need IBS support.

🎧 Subscribe to the IBS Nutrition Podcast on: 📌 Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

🚀 Ready to take control of your IBS? Tune in now!