You know that phrase, “trust your gut”?
We’ve all heard it. We may have even felt it—like a whisper from inside, gently nudging us toward clarity or away from something not quite right. But after years of numbing, overriding, or silencing those signals—especially in our drinking days—many of us stop trusting that internal guidance system. Or worse, we stop hearing it altogether.
But here’s what I find so fascinating: your gut isn’t just a metaphor for intuition. It’s a literal command center for emotional regulation, mood stability, and mental clarity. That “gut feeling” we talk about? It’s not just a feeling—it’s a physiological signal rooted in real, powerful science.
In this week’s episode of The Sober Edge, I’m exploring the surprising and empowering connection between gut health and intuition. Because it turns out, when we feed our gut well, we can hear ourselves better. And that’s a game-changer on the alcohol-free journey.
When we stop drinking, we often start healing in layers. First comes the physical—better sleep, more energy, fewer mood swings. But underneath that is a deeper rebuilding: the relationship with ourselves. That’s where gut health plays such a pivotal role. Our gut houses trillions of bacteria that influence everything from our immune response to our brain chemistry. In fact, over 90% of our serotonin—the neurotransmitter linked to happiness and calm—is produced in the gut. The same goes for dopamine, GABA, and more.
So when our gut is thriving, our minds feel clearer. Our emotions are more stable. We’re less reactive and more responsive. We make decisions from a grounded place rather than a panicked one. And perhaps most importantly, we begin to feel safe tuning into our intuition again.
In the episode, I talk about the two most important things for supporting your gut: fiber and variety. We don’t need a perfect diet—we need a diverse one. Think colorful veggies, nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, and fermented foods. Think about your gut like a vibrant garden: it needs different species, textures, and nutrients to flourish. The more variety you give it, the stronger your internal signals become.
And here’s where this connects so beautifully with recovery: so many of us are working to rebuild trust with ourselves. Trust that we know what we need. Trust that we can make hard decisions. Trust that we are allowed to say no, to rest, to slow down. When you start with your body—when you literally nourish your insides—you lay the foundation for that trust to return.
That’s why I say: feed your gut, trust your gut.
Because healing your microbiome doesn’t just improve digestion. It strengthens your ability to hear yourself. To believe yourself. To access your inner compass—the one that was always there, just waiting to be heard again.
I hope you’ll tune in. It’s one of those episodes where science meets soul. Where we get to honor the miracle of our bodies while celebrating the powerful emotional shifts that come with choosing an alcohol-free life. And as always, I hope it reminds you that you don’t need to be fixed—you just need to reconnect.
Warmly,
Teri
P.S. If you’ve been feeling a little out of sync lately, maybe it’s not a mindset issue—it might be a microbiome one. Let this be your gentle invitation to tune back in.
