Sadness causes a physical sensation of pain in the stomach via the gut-brain axis
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 75/100
Psychological distress, including sadness and anxiety, frequently manifests as physical discomfort or pain in the gastrointestinal tract, mediated by bidirectional signaling along the gut-brain axis.
Evidence for · 5
Mapping the neuroimaging landscape of inflammatory bowel disease: a bibliometric analysis and systematic scoping review.
2026 · cited by 0
The study notes that brain alterations within emotional networks are associated with abdominal pain, anxiety, and depression via the brain-gut axis.
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More for · 4
Selected Parameters of the Mental State of Women with Endometriosis-A Systematic Review.
2026 · cited by 0
This review highlights that psychological distress and mood disorders strongly correlate with chronic visceral and pelvic pain conditions through neuroimmune and gut-brain interactions.
Neurobiology of Anxiety and Depression in CP/CPPS: A Narrative Review of Underlying Mechanisms.
2026 · cited by 0
This review discusses how affective disorders like depression and anxiety interact with central pain pathways and neurobiological mechanisms in chronic pain syndromes.
Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in irritable bowel syndrome: pathophysiology and therapeutic implications.
2026 · cited by 0
This study demonstrates that sympathovagal imbalance and autonomic dysfunction link psychological and stress factors with gastrointestinal symptom severity via bidirectional brain-gut communication.
The Gut-Brain Axis-From Science to Clinical Practice.
2026 · cited by 0
This review explains that emotional stress and brain states can significantly impact gastrointestinal function and trigger visceral pain perception through autonomic and neuroendocrine pathways.