Frequently Asked Questions

Digestible is a program designed to help IBS sufferers by addressing the root cause of their symptoms: the brain-gut connection. Using science-backed lessons and interactive exercises, Digestible helps users identify their unique symptom triggers and apply proven strategies to change how the brain influences digestion and pain perception. Our innovative approach, Brain-Gut Regulation (BGR), helps users find relief without restrictive diets, medications, or invasive treatments. Digestible offers a personalized, expert-guided program that makes healing simple, effective, and sustainable.

The Digestible program is based on the well-established connection between the brain and gut, often referred to as the gut-brain axis. Research shows that psychological factors like stress, emotions, anxiety, and personality traits play a significant role in the development and persistence of IBS. Stress can influence gut function, altering motility and pain perception (Stasi et al., 2012). Additionally, stressful events from childhood have been identified as a risk factor for developing IBS later in life (Zhu et al., 2014). Research also suggests that developing stress resilience strategies and emotional processing skills can help reverse these effects (Peter et al., 2018; Thakur et al., 2017). Digestible integrates evidence-based mind-body techniques to do just that. The program includes: • Education on the brain-gut connection • Somatic tracking on specific IBS symptoms • Guided visualizations • Self-discovery surveys • Mindfulness and relaxation techniques • Emotional awareness and expression exercises • Self-compassion practices, and • Tools to reintroduce foods with confidence By taking a brain-based approach to IBS, Digestible guides users to regulate their brain-gut connection and find lasting relief from symptoms. While diet and medication tend to be first line treatments for IBS, these do not address the psychosocial factors that can contribute to the onset and continuation of IBS symptoms. The Low FODMAP diet — a common elimination diet for managing IBS — has been shown to be moderately effective in reducing symptoms, especially in the short term. However, it can be difficult to follow, may lead to nutritional deficiencies if not properly supervised, and has been associated with increased risk of food-related anxiety and disordered eating behaviors in some individuals. Emerging evidence suggests that psychological treatments that reduce gastrointestinal-specific anxiety and encourage the reintroduction of feared foods — such as exposure-based therapy — can be just as effective in reducing IBS symptoms, while reducing stress and supporting healthier long-term eating behaviors (Biesiekierski et al., 2022; Lackner et al., 2018). Digestible challenges the belief that food restriction is the only path to relief. Instead, we support users with food fear to expand their diet, safely and at their own pace, so they can return to a place of food freedom, without the constant fear of flare-ups. Sources: Biesiekierski JR, Manning LP, Murray HB, Vlaeyen JWS, Ljótsson B, Van Oudenhove L. Review article: exclude or expose? The paradox of conceptually opposite treatments for irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2022 Aug;56(4):592-605. doi: 10.1111/apt.17111. Epub 2022 Jul 1. PMID: 35775328; PMCID: PMC11327802. Lackner JM, Jaccard J, Keefer L, Brenner DM, Firth RS, Gudleski GD, Hamilton FA, Katz LA, Krasner SS, Ma CX, Radziwon CD, Sitrin MD. Improvement in Gastrointestinal Symptoms After Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Refractory Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Gastroenterology. 2018 Jul;155(1):47-57. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.03.063. Epub 2018 Apr 25. Erratum in: Gastroenterology. 2018 Oct;155(4):1281. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.09.049. PMID: 29702118; PMCID: PMC6035059. Mazaheri, M. (2015). Difficulties in emotion regulation and mindfulness in psychological and somatic symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 9(4). https://doi.org/10.17795/ijpbs-954 (https://doi.org/10.17795/ijpbs-954) Muscatello, M. R. A., Bruno, A., Mento, C., Pandolfo, G., & Zoccali, R. A. (2016). Personality traits and emotional patterns in irritable bowel syndrome. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 22(28), 6402. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v22.i28.6402 Shafiei, F., Dehghani, M., Lavasani, F. F., Manouchehri, M., & Mokhtare, M. (2024). Intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial examining improvements in emotion regulation, defense mechanisms, quality of life, and ibs symptoms. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1293150 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1293150) Shah, K., Ramos-Garcia, M., Bhavsar, J., & Lehrer, P. (2019). Mind-body treatments of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms: An updated meta-analysis. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 128, 103462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2019.103462 ‌ Stasi, C., Rosselli, M., Bellini, M., Laffi, G., & Milani, S. (2012). Altered neuro-endocrine–immune pathways in the irritable bowel syndrome: the top-down and the bottom-up model. Journal of Gastroenterology, 47(11), 1177-1185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-012-0627-7 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-012-0627-7) Thakur ER, Holmes HJ, Lockhart NA, Carty JN, Ziadni MS, Doherty HK, Lackner JM, Schubiner H, Lumley MA. Emotional awareness and expression training improves irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017 Dec;29(12):10.1111/nmo.13143. doi: 10.1111/nmo.13143. Epub 2017 Jun 22. PMID: 28643436; PMCID: PMC5690851. Zhu, X., Chen, W., Zhu, X., & Shen, Y. (2014). A cross-sectional study of risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome in children 8–13 years of age in suzhou, china. Gastroenterology Research and Practice, 2014, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/198461

IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is a common condition characterized by recurring episodes of abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. Although not part of the diagnostic criteria, bloating, nausea, feelings of incomplete evacuation, and urgency are also commonly reported. IBS is a disorder of gut-brain interaction (DBGI) meaning it results from a miscommunication between the brain and gut. It’s estimated that IBS affects around 1 in 10 people worldwide and symptoms can range from mild to severe. IBS is diagnosed by a doctor after it is determined that there is nothing physically wrong in the body that can explain the symptoms. IBS is an issue where the gut is not functioning normally. Despite what you may have been told, your IBS is likely not directly caused by the foods you eat and there are things you can do to reduce or eliminate your symptoms.

Research shows that conditions like IBS, GERD, and functional dyspepsia are disorders of the brain-gut connection (DBGIs). For many IBS sufferers, symptoms are rooted in how the brain is communicating with the gut. When the brain perceives a threat, it activates the stress response, disrupting digestion and increasing pain sensitivity. For those who’ve experienced significant stress in their lives, they may develop a heightened stress response that is chronically activated. Essentially the brain can become "wired" to overreact to everyday stimuli, which can cause ongoing pain and digestive issues. This over-reactivity of the brain and nervous system can lead to a heightened sensitivity of the nerves lining the gut. This is called visceral hypersensitivity and research shows that it is common amongst individuals with IBS. Elimination diets, such as the Low-FODMAP diet, can reduce symptom triggers by limiting gas-producing foods. However, they do not address the brain’s role in perpetuating symptoms. Digestible takes a brain-based approach, leveraging the brain's ability to rewire (known as neuroplasticity), to change how the brain and gut interact.

Most IBS treatments focus solely on the targeting the gut—relying on medications, supplements, or restrictive diets in an attempt to alter digestion. While these approaches will offer relief for some, for others, they fall short leading to a sense of frustration and feeling stuck in the exhausting cycle of trying to "manage" their symptoms. New research shows that IBS is a disorder of the brain-gut connection. Digestible is a groundbreaking program that takes a different approach, targeting the root causes of IBS in the brain. Research shows that the brains of individuals with IBS are wired differently (Mayer et al., 2023). But the good news is that our brains always have the ability to rewire based on new learning and experiences (known as neuroplasticity). Digestible helps you change the signals your brain is sending to your gut, so pain and digestive issues can fade away. By leveraging neuroscience and psychological research, Digestible provides personalized lessons and practices to start feeling better. Sources: Mayer EA, Ryu HJ, Bhatt RR. The neurobiology of irritable bowel syndrome. Mol Psychiatry. 2023 Apr;28(4):1451-1465. doi: 10.1038/s41380-023-01972-w. Epub 2023 Feb 2. PMID: 36732586; PMCID: PMC10208985.

You can download Digestible for free and access the first two days of content to see if it might be a good fit for you. To unlock the full program, the pricing is $149/year. By signing up for the program, you will gain access to personalized daily lessons and practices, as well as our Community Support Group on Facebook.

Everyone’s healing journey is unique, and there’s no universal timeline for feeling better. The key is to focus on progress rather than perfection. Letting go of the pressure to “heal quickly” can help reduce stress and create the environment your mind and body need to recover at their own pace. Many individuals have experienced significant relief through these methods, and the more consistently you practice, the greater the benefits tend to be. Why not take the first step and see what’s possible for you?

Absolutely. Your brain is capable of change, no matter how long you’ve had IBS. Through neuroplasticity, Digestible helps you rewire the brain-gut connection to improve your symptoms and start feeling better.

If you’ve tested positive for SIBO (via breath test) or food intolerances (via IgG blood test), keep in mind that these tests often have high false-positive rates, especially in the absence of other diseases affecting digestion. Talk to your doctor to see if Digestible may be a good addition to your treatment plan.

Digestible is specifically designed for disorders of brain-gut interaction (DBGIs), such as IBS. While it’s not specifically designed for inflammatory conditions like IBD, those who experience IBS in addition to their IBD symptoms may be a good fit for this program. Consult your doctor to determine if Digestible could be beneficial for you.

Digestible subscribers also have access to the Digestible Support Group (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14y4Q1NrAi/)on Facebook. Our Facebook Community is a source for support, encouragement, and advice from others on their healing journey. If you need technical support, you can submit a message on the Profile > Submit Feedback screen within the app or email support@digestibleapp.com. (support@digestible.com.)

To delete your Digestible account and all personal data:     1.    Open the Digestible app     2.    Go to Profile > Account > Delete Account     3.    Tap Delete Account and confirm We will permanently delete:     •    Your name and email     •    Survey answers     •    Progress through modules     •    Journals and any tracked data Deletion is permanent and processed within 7 days. If you have questions, contact us at support@digestibleapp.com.