When the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) and the Interoceptive Nervous System (INS) get out of balance, it can significantly impact both physical and mental health. These systems are deeply interconnected with the brain, meaning dysregulation can lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma responses, and digestive issues. Here’s what can happen when they are disrupted:
1. When the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) Is Out of Balance
The ENS (your “gut brain”) regulates digestion, mood, and the body’s response to stress. When it’s dysregulated, you might experience:
- Digestive Issues – Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, constipation, or diarrhea can develop due to gut motility issues.
- Chronic Stress & Anxiety – An overactive ENS can increase stress hormone production, heightening anxiety or panic symptoms.
- Mood Dysregulation – Since 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut, an unbalanced ENS can contribute to depression, low energy, or irritability.
- Inflammation & Autoimmune Issues – A disrupted gut microbiome (often linked to stress and trauma) can increase systemic inflammation, leading to conditions like leaky gut, autoimmune diseases, and chronic fatigue.
➡️ Example: Someone with PTSD or chronic stress may develop IBS due to prolonged ENS activation, leading to stomach pain, nausea, and digestive distress.
2. When the Interoceptive Nervous System (INS) Is Out of Balance
The INS is responsible for sensing internal bodily states (heartbeat, breath, hunger, emotions). When it’s dysregulated, you might experience:
- Hyperawareness (Hyper-Interoception) – Feeling overly tuned in to bodily sensations, which can lead to panic attacks, hypochondria, or health anxiety (e.g., constantly monitoring heartbeat or breathing).
- Dissociation & Emotional Numbness (Hypo-Interoception) – Feeling disconnected from your body, struggling to recognize hunger, pain, or emotions (common in trauma survivors, dissociation, or PTSD).
- Difficulties in Emotional Regulation – Trouble identifying emotions or responding appropriately to stress, leading to mood swings, emotional shutdowns, or feeling “on edge”.
➡️ Example: A trauma survivor may either feel “too much” (hyperaware of their heartbeat, leading to panic attacks) or “too little” (numb, disconnected from hunger, thirst, or emotions).
How ENS & INS Dysregulation Can Affect Trauma Survivors
For people recovering from trauma, ENS and INS imbalances can reinforce each other:
- Unresolved trauma can dysregulate the gut, causing digestive problems that further increase stress and anxiety.
- INS dysregulation can cause emotional numbness or hypersensitivity, making it harder to process emotions, recognize hunger cues, or trust bodily sensations.
- Chronic dysregulation in both systems can lead to a vicious cycle of anxiety, gut distress, dissociation, and inflammation.
How to Restore Balance to ENS & INS
✅ Somatic Therapy & Breathwork – Helps reconnect with bodily sensations, reducing hyperawareness or numbness.
✅ Gut-Healthy Diet – Probiotics, fiber, and fermented foods support the gut microbiome, reducing ENS dysfunction.
✅ Mindfulness & Meditation – Improves interoception, reducing panic symptoms and increasing emotional awareness.
✅ Polyvagal Exercises – Engaging the vagus nerve (humming, cold exposure, diaphragmatic breathing) can calm both systems.
✅ Therapeutic Support – Working with a trauma-informed therapist can help regulate bodily responses to stress.
Bottom Line:
The ENS and INS are deeply connected to trauma, stress, and emotional regulation. When they are out of balance, it can manifest as digestive issues, panic attacks, dissociation, and mood instability. Healing requires a combination of gut health, nervous system regulation, and reconnecting with the body through somatic work.
Would you like strategies tailored to your own healing process? 😊
