ReThinking: Can you trust your gut? with GI doctor Trisha Pasricha

In this episode of Worklife with Adam Grant, host Adam Grant sits down with Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a Harvard gastroenterologist and author of 'You've Been Pooping All Wrong,' to explore the science behind the gut-brain connection and challenge the cultural myth of 'trusting your gut.' Drawing on decades of research in neurogastroenterology, Pasricha explains that gut feelings are not oracles but physiological signals—specifically, disruptions in the stomach's natural 3-per-minute rhythm driven by stress hormones like corticotrophin-releasing hormone. These signals often precede conscious awareness, serving as early warnings of environmental or emotional shifts. However, she cautions against blindly acting on them, emphasizing the need to interpret these sensations within context, especially since they can stem from novelty, bias, or internal psychological states rather than objective danger. The conversation dives into the psychology of intuition, highlighting that gut feelings are reliable only in domains of expertise and predictable patterns, not in high-stakes, novel life decisions. Pasricha also debunks common myths—like the necessity of colon cleanses, the inevitability of smelly farts, and the rarity of fecal incontinence—while revealing the surprising joy many people experience during bowel movements, which she calls 'puforia.' She attributes this to both physical relief and the activation of the vagus nerve, and offers practical advice like squatting posture and ditching smartphones in the bathroom to improve gut health and overall well-being. The episode ultimately reframes the gut not as a mere plumbing system, but as a 'second brain' deeply intertwined with mental health, emotion, and decision-making.