Join host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes Dr. Melissa Hunt, Ph.D. to our family table. As we explore the gut-brain connection, Dr. Hunt helps us focus on the relationship between IBS & OCD. Additionally, we discuss how different cleaning compulsions can impact our risk for serious infection, autoimmune disease, and imbalance in our microbiome. Lastly, we learn how avoidance and safety behaviors can impact both the gut and brain, even when it comes to restrictive eating or elimination diets. But there’s a lot hope, fam! So join the discussion, as we expose links and learn about the life changing benefits of facing our fears.

Timestamps At-A-Glance:

00:00 Greeting
00:24 Introduction
03:07 About Dr. Melissa Hunt, Ph.D.
04:32 Citations & Resources on the Blog
05:32 Relevant Research Foundational to our Chat
07:38 Melissa Meets the Fam
11:15 Melissa Shares How She Started Investigating the Gut-Brain Connection
14:43 How OCD Can Increase Autoimmune Vulnerabilities
16:31 IBS v. Other Disorders of Digestion and Disease
24:21 Enteric Nervous System: The Brain in Your Gut
30:52 Health Anxiety & Toileting Compulsions
36:46 Visceral Hypersensitivity
40:27 What Can Help Manage IBS & OCD?
43:35 Nicole Shares a Personal Example of ARFID & GI Distress
46:04 Human Microbiome: Exploring C. Diff & More
56:26 The Germ Theory of Modern Medicine
58:40 Elimination Diets: Impact on Health
01:08:40 How Avoidance & Elimination Impact Allergies
01:15:37 The Opportunistic Nature of OCD
01:18:01 Resources to Help IBS & OCD Warriors
01:24:11 Intrusive Thoughts
01:28:05 Goodbye

To learn more information about the resources cited in this episode, visit this episode's blog at OCDFamilyPodcast.com: https://www.ocdfamilypodcast.com/blog/s2e88-exposed-the-life-changing-benefits-of-facing-your-fears-for-ibs-amp-ocd-warriors-with-dr-melissa-hunt-phd