What if gravity was responsible for some diseases? A new theory suggests that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the most common gastrointestinal disorder, may be caused by gravity.
According to Brennan Spiegel, director of Health Services Research at Cedars-Sinai and author of the hypothesis, he explains that irritable bowel syndrome – and many other diseases – could be the result of the body’s inability to handle gravity.
“For as long as there has been life on Earth, from the earliest organisms to Homo sapiens, gravity has relentlessly shaped everything on the planet,” says Spiegel. «Our bodies are affected by gravity from the moment we are born to the day we die.. It is such a fundamental force that we rarely notice its constant influence on our health.”
The hypothesis, published in the “American Journal of Gastroenterology,” describes how the intestines, spine, heart, nerves, and brain evolved to manage gravity.
“Our bodily systems are constantly being dragged down,” Spiegel explains. “If these systems can’t handle the pressure of gravity, they can cause problems like pain, cramps, dizziness, sweating, rapid heartbeat, and back problems—all symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. You can even contribute to bacterial overgrowth in the intestinea problem also related to irritable bowel syndrome.
The underlying mechanism of irritable bowel syndrome has puzzled researchers since it was first described more than a century ago. Although the disorder affects up to 10% of the world’s population, experts still don’t know exactly how or why it develops.
However, there are several contrasting theories that explain its clinical characteristics. One of them is that irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of gut-brain interaction; evidence shows that neuromodulators and behavioral therapies are effective. Another theory holds that irritable bowel syndrome is due to abnormalities in the gut microbiome, which can be treated with antibiotics or low-fermentation diets.
Other hypotheses suggest that motility abnormalities, intestinal hypersensitivity, abnormal serotonin levels, or a dysregulated autonomic nervous system cause irritable bowel syndrome.
«There are such a variety of explanations that I wondered if they could all be simultaneously true.said Spiegel. “As I thought about each theory, from those related to motility to bacteria to the neuropsychology of IBS, I realized that they could all point to gravity as a unifying factor. At first it seemed rather strange, to be sure, but as I developed the idea and discussed it with my colleagues, it started to make sense.”
Gravity can compress the spine and reduce flexibility and cause organs to shift downward
Gravity can compress the spine and reduce flexibility. It can also cause organs to shift downward, moving from their correct position. The abdominal contents are heavy, like a sack of potatoes that we are destined to carry throughout our lives.explica mirror.
“The body evolved to lift this load with a set of support structures. If these systems fail, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can appear along with musculoskeletal problems,” says Spiegel.
Some people have bodies more capable of carrying the load than others. For example, some have “elastic” suspension systems that cause the intestines to tilt downward. Others have spinal problems that cause the diaphragm to cave in or the belly to protrude, causing a compressed abdomen.
These factors can trigger motility problems or bacterial overgrowth in the intestine. This may also help explain why physiotherapy and exercise are effective for irritable bowel syndrome, as these interventions strengthen support systems.
However, the gravity hypothesis also goes beyond the intestines.
“Our nervous system also evolved in a world of gravity, and that could explain why many people feel ‘butterflies‘ abs when they’re anxious,” Spiegel explains. “It is curious that these ‘gut sensations’ also occur when falling towards Earth, such as when you fall on a roller coaster or a plane with turbulence. The nerves in your gut are like an old-fashioned G-force detector that alerts you when you’ve taken—or are about to take—a dangerous fall. It’s just a hypothesis, but people with irritable bowel syndrome might be prone to over-predicting G-force threats that never occur.”
This hypothesis is very provocative, but the best thing is that it is testable
Some are more resistant to G forces than others. For example, one person may throw up their hands and smile as they drop down on a roller coaster, while another grits their teeth and groans. The first person is amused while the second feels threatened, revealing a spectrum of what Spiegel calls “G-force vigilance.”
Another factor that may influence is the serotonin, a neurotransmitter that may have evolved in part to manage gravity in bodily systems. Serotonin is needed to elevate mood, both metaphorically and literally, Spiegel notes. Without it, people would also be unable to stand upright, maintain their balance, circulate blood, or pump intestinal contents against gravity.
“This hypothesis is very provocative, but the best part is that it is testable,” says Shelly Lu of Cedars-Sinai. «If proven correct, it is a major paradigm shift in the way we think about IBS and possibly treatment as well.».