Can You Really Trust Your Gut? The Science (and Wisdom) Behind Gut Instincts

We’ve all heard the advice: “trust your gut.” But is it really that simple? The truth is, your gut isn’t just about digestion—it’s a powerful player in your emotional world, decision-making, and sense of self. Science is now revealing that those “gut feelings” aren’t mystical at all. They’re grounded in biology, shaped by experience, and influenced by the state of your inner ecosystem.

In this post, we’ll explore what your gut is really trying to tell you, how it influences your instincts, and how you can strengthen this remarkable connection to guide you toward

clarity, resilience, and better decisions.

---

The Gut: More Than Digestion

Your gut is often called your “second brain.” And for good reason. Nestled within your digestive system is the enteric nervous system (ENS)—a vast network of over 100 million neurons that can operate independently of the brain.

This “second brain” produces around 90% of the body’s serotonin (the mood-lifting hormone) and nearly 50% of its dopamine (linked to motivation and reward). When your gut is thriving, your mind feels clearer and more balanced. When it’s out of sync, you might find yourself anxious, irritable, or foggy.

Connecting it all is the vagus nerve, a communication superhighway carrying constant messages between your brain and your gut. This two-way dialogue explains why a tight deadline can cause an upset stomach—or why an unbalanced microbiome can leave you feeling anxious.

What Shapes a “Gut Feeling”?

When you experience a gut instinct, you’re tapping into more than intuition—it’s your body’s way of processing information on a cellular level. But it’s not always reliable. Here’s why:

• Past experiences: Your gut instinct reflects learned patterns. A past betrayal, for example, may cause your gut to flare up at even the hint of risk.

• Gut health: If your microbiome is disrupted by stress, poor diet, or illness, your instincts may feel muddled or “off.”

• Emotion vs. intuition: True gut wisdom is steady and grounded. Emotional reactions, on the other hand, are often sharp, immediate, and fear-driven. Learning the difference is key.

Strengthening Your Mind-Gut Connection

To make your gut instincts more trustworthy, you need to nurture both your physical gut and your self-awareness.

• Feed your gut well. Prioritise fibre-rich foods, probiotics, and prebiotics to support a healthy microbiome. Limit processed foods and refined sugar, which throw gut bacteria off balance.

• Stay hydrated. Water keeps digestion smooth and helps your system communicate more effectively.

• Manage stress. Chronic stress disrupts gut flora and hijacks clear thinking. Practices like deep breathing, mindfulness, or yoga calm both your gut and mind.

• Reflect and discern. Journaling, therapy, or quiet reflection can help you distinguish between fear-based reactions and grounded intuition.

• Practice listening. When a gut instinct feels calm and steady—and not frantic—lean into it. Over time, this strengthens your trust in it.

The Balance Between Head and Gut

Trusting your gut doesn’t mean abandoning logic. The most powerful decisions come from harmonising both—balancing the clear reasoning of the mind with the intuitive wisdom of the body.

So, can you trust your gut? The answer is yes—when it’s nurtured, balanced, and aligned. Think of your gut as both a biological compass and a wise inner voice. Care for it well, and it will guide you toward choices that support not just survival, but genuine flourishing.