The SIBO Myth: What Clinicians & Patients Should Know | MGC Ep. 96

SIBO—Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth—has become a buzzword in the gut health space, often blamed for symptoms like bloating, gas, and fatigue. But how much of the hype is supported by solid science?

In this episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation, Dr. Mayer critically examines the growing SIBO narrative. Drawing from decades of clinical experience and the latest peer-reviewed evidence, he breaks down what SIBO actually is, who it truly affects, and why breath tests and antibiotic treatments like rifaximin are far less reliable—and more commercially driven—than many believe.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why true SIBO is rare and typically linked to structural or motility disorders

• Why current diagnostic tests are flawed and often misused

• How intestinal gas production is a normal part of digestion—not necessarily a problem

• Why rifaximin may relieve symptoms without ever addressing SIBO

• The role of microbial diversity, short-chain fatty acids, and the broader brain-gut microbiome system

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with SIBO or are simply curious about one of the most misunderstood topics in gut health, this episode separates myth from medicine.

Thank you for your interest!

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Connect with Dr. Mayer:

Instagram: @emeranmayer

Twitter/X: @EmeranMayerMD

YouTube: Emeran Mayer, MD

Website: emeranmayer.com