Physician-Written · Evidence-Informed · Patient-First
Your Gut Has a Brain. We Wrote the Manual.
Physician-written guides to symptoms, conditions, protocols, and tools for disorders of gut–brain interaction.
Don’t Know Your Diagnosis?
Start With Your Symptom
Tap what you’re experiencing. We’ll show you the recognized patterns and what to do next.
Conditions We Cover
Evidence-informed guides to the most common — and most overlooked — disorders of gut–brain interaction.
IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Bloating, motility issues, and FODMAP sensitivity. The most commonly diagnosed DGBI — and one of the most misunderstood.
FD
Functional Dyspepsia
Burning, fullness, or pain in the upper stomach — often called ‘the forgotten diagnosis’ because it’s so commonly missed.
CVS
Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
Intense, episodic nausea and vomiting in predictable cycles — with long diagnostic delays and limited treatment options.
CHS
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
Severe nausea and vomiting in regular cannabis users. Often misdiagnosed as CVS or food poisoning for years.
Interactive Tools
Quick clinical tools to help you decode your symptoms, prep for appointments, and triage flares.
Evidence-Informed Frameworks
Protocols & Science
Step-by-step clinical frameworks for common gut-brain patterns.
FODMAP Reintroduction Protocol
Step-by-step framework for cleaner food reintroductions — enzyme timing, confounder checklists, and interactive tracking.
ExploreCHS ER Protocol
What happens in the ER — and what should happen after. A physician-written guide for CHS emergency visits.
ExploreThe B1 Motility Protocol
How thiamine supports gut motility and why it matters for nausea-dominant patterns.
ExploreThe Gut-Brain Axis, Explained
How your gut and brain communicate — and what goes wrong in disorders of gut-brain interaction.
ExploreFrequently Asked Questions
What are Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction?
Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction (DGBIs) — formerly called functional GI disorders — are conditions where the gut and brain miscommunicate, leading to real, measurable symptoms like bloating, nausea, pain, and motility dysfunction. They are diagnosed using the Rome IV criteria and are among the most common conditions in gastroenterology.
What are the Rome IV Criteria?
The Rome IV criteria are the international diagnostic framework used to classify DGBIs. They define specific symptom patterns (type, frequency, duration) that allow clinicians to diagnose conditions like IBS, functional dyspepsia, and cyclic vomiting syndrome without requiring invasive testing in most cases.
When should I see a specialist?
You should seek specialist evaluation if you experience: unexplained weight loss, blood in your stool, persistent vomiting, difficulty swallowing, symptoms that wake you from sleep, or if your symptoms began after age 50. These ‘red flag’ symptoms warrant further workup to rule out structural or inflammatory conditions.
What’s the difference between a DGBI and IBD?
DGBIs (like IBS) are disorders of gut–brain communication — they cause real symptoms but don’t show visible inflammation on scoping or imaging. IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease, including Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis) involves measurable, structural inflammation. Both are real. Both deserve treatment. But they require different clinical approaches.