Can anyone explain the gut / brain axis during grief?

https://complicated.life/blog/gut-brain-connection-how-gut-health-influences-mind-wellbeing/

I found a lot of answers in a book called ‘The Grieving Brain’. It helped me understand the neuroscience of grief.

@gently
And the body keeps the score. Vagus nerve. Try as much upside distraction as you can. Not big. Something that has always pleased you. Good meaningful social interaction really helps.

I've never experienced any of the problems you describe - however. I initially had problems eating. It seemed I was never hungry enough to bother making or buying a meal, Or maybe I just ignored the hunger while I was in deep depression and grief. That lasted for about three months, lost about ten pounds, then started eating again - however, never as well as previously. Now it's a lot of soup and salads, or take out Chinese. My wife was Italian, and wonderful cook, the family enjoyed what I considered the best Italian meals possible for many years. Your question has me wondering if my current habit of not making, or ordering Italian, even when dining at an Italian Restaurant, if possible. Maybe I should find the book suggested by @thereaklenb above.
As to "social interaction" - It has helped me only during the time that I'm actively interacting. As soon as I'm home alone again it's forgotten, and I'm in that deep funk again. It's only been six month, after 72 years together - maybe, as many say - "time heals everything", have to wait and see!

@cece55 Digestive issues are common when experiencing grief. After my wife passed away unexpectedly, I lost about 35 pounds in the 3 months after her passing. Could not eat, so upset losing her and I had digestive issues. In past year, I did put some weight back on, but digestive issues remain but minor compared to a year ago. I found it important to make sure I eat and focus on high protein meals. If possible, plan meals ahead by a few days. Be well.

I lost my husband one year ago on September 1st. My 99-year-old mother is on hospice and failing. I haven't had time to even grieve my husband because my mother began failing right after he passed. I have MS and ulcerative colitis and the UC is now in a flare after being in remission for 10 years. I definitely blame the stress on this flare-up.

I lost my husband one year ago on September 1st. My 99-year-old mother is on hospice and failing. I haven't had time to even grieve my husband because my mother began failing right after he passed. I have MS and ulcerative colitis and the UC is now in a flare after being in remission for 10 years. I definitely blame the stress on this flare-up and now must work to get it under control.

Yes, I absolutely agree with you...I had the same thing happen to me. My husband and only daughter passed away two years ago within eight months of each other. About six months ago, I ended up in the hospital with ulcerative colitis because, I feel it was so much stress at losing the two of them. At the time that I was rushed to the hospital, I was also dealing with negative neighbors. I had no friends in the state as I had to leave my home state at 80, and try to start a new life here, and my age, I have no family left. I am now in assisted living and having a difficult time with their rules and regulations. So, where do I go from here? Waiting on a flare-up?

You are right. I have found that I can calm my mind in extremely stressful circumstances when before I could just allow for rageing. But that's not PC.
The energy has to go someplace so it goes into the body, creating new conditions and exacerbating old ones.
"I hate it when she comes around. I get a pain in the neck. I want to throw up. I get diarrhea. My benign tumor is acting up. I get a migraine. My heart starts skipping beats." All from one person?😁
Moreover the anxieties and worry in the brain trigger the hpa axis the Hypothalamus "tells" the Pituitary gland to get ready (adrenocorticosteroid). The pituitary tells the Adrenal gland to pump adrenaline to run or fight (the attacking sabre tooth tiger). This is supposed to be only for 10 minutes. But there IS NO TIGER, just thoughts which don't stop yelling danger and depair. So the system keeps pumping away-tearing up the blacktop.
The bi-product, cortisol, adds fuel to the fire, disabling the immune system.
Got to get out of this loop before there is a mental/physical or both crash. 😧

@shmerdloff

Reading the research on psychedelic mushrooms from John's Hopkins and other institutions and treatment for various issues including intractable depression and anxiety is quite inspiring if it interests you.
https://www.hopkinspsychedelic.org/
https://med.nyu.edu/departments-institutes/psychiatry/research/psychedelic-medicine