Understanding Sex Differences in Stress and Gut Health | MGC Ep. 97

Dr. Mayer unpacks groundbreaking research on how men and women differ in their responses to stress, emotional stimuli, and gut sensations. Drawing from studies at UCLA’s Oppenheimer Center, the conversation highlights key differences in brain-gut communication, revealing how neural pathways influence both emotional and physical health.

You’ll learn why women are more prone to conditions like IBS, how heart rate variability reflects emotional processing, and why men tend to show more action-oriented responses to stress. Dr. Mayer also explores the growing potential of personalized therapy—tailored to biological and psychological differences—to transform how we treat chronic gut-brain conditions.

Key Topics Covered:

• Sex-based differences in stress response patterns

• Brainstem connectivity and gut sensitivity

• Emotional awareness and heart rate variability

• Chronic disease and the gut-brain connection

• Personalized therapies based on gender

Understanding these sex-based differences isn’t just fascinating—it’s essential for developing more effective, tailored approaches to brain-gut health. Tune in to explore how science is reshaping the way we treat mind and body together.

Connect with Dr. Mayer:

Website: ⁠⁠emeranmayer.com⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠@emeranmayer⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠@EmeranMayerMD⁠

YouTube: @EmeranMayerMD