Gut Feelings, Interoception, and Emotional Resilience: Revealing the Connection

Interoception – the sensory system responsible for interpreting internal bodily signals – is progressively emerging as a central concept in mental health research. This paper investigates how interoception influences the gut-brain axis, emotional regulation, and resilience, highlighting the bidirectional relationship between gut microbiota and brain processes. Animal research has convincingly demonstrated that gut microbes impact behaviour and anxiety; however, human research is restricted by theoretical and methodological challenges. While therapeutic approaches targeted at internal bodily awareness and gut health show promising results, further research is needed to examine their scalability and applicability in diverse cultural contexts. This paper also raises concerns regarding the risk of over-medicalising normal bodily sensations and advocates for a more integrated mind-body approach within clinical settings. This work contributes a unique perspective by synthesising interoceptive research with philosophical considerations of mind-body dualism, while critically analysing how cultural contexts shape embodied emotional experience. By embracing the value of interoception, psychological frameworks can evolve into more grounded and proactive practices, cultivating emotional awareness and psychological wellbeing.