Quiet the Diet

The Future of IBS Management: Elimination Diets are Out, Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy is In with Claire Hall of Nerva

Michelle Shapiro Season 4 Episode 5

Can hypnotherapy really alter the physical sensations in your gut? Claire Hall, research lead at Mindset Health, joins Michelle to discuss gut-directed hypnotherapy for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and how their app, Nerva, provides an innovative mangement option that's challenging traditional dietary restrictions and shaping the future of gut health management.

We discuss:

  • What is gut-directed hypnotherapy and its distinction from “stage” hypnosis [1:33]
  • IBS as a diagnosis of exclusion and its clinical definition using the Rome IV criteria [4:01]
  • The biopsychosocial model of IBS, incorporating genetics, psychological factors, and early life experiences. [4:47]
  • Comparison of hypnotherapy's effectiveness with other treatments such as the low FODMAP diet [13:22]
  • The role of relaxation in managing IBS symptoms through hypnotherapy [15:28]
  • The bi-directional relationship between the brain and the gut via the vagus nerve [16:23]
  • How Nerva was developed and its focus on clinical trials and retrospective research [33:33]
  • Potential expansion of hypnotherapy applications to other GI disorders and chronic pain [40:32]
  • Success stories and patient feedback on using Nerva for IBS management. [43:03]
  • The role of education in changing the conversation around IBS and its management [46:42]


Watch the full episode on the Quiet The Diet Youtube Channel

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