Podcast Summary: ReThinking with Adam Grant

Episode: “Can you trust your gut?” with GI doctor Trisha Pasricha

Date: April 7, 2026
Host: Adam Grant
Guest: Dr. Trisha Pasricha, Harvard gastroenterologist and “Ask a Doctor” columnist

Overview

In this lively and engaging episode, Adam Grant explores the science and cultural lore behind “trusting your gut” with Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a leading GI doctor and author of the new book You’d Have Been Pooping All Wrong. Together, they unpack the brain-gut connection, debunk common digestive health myths, and discuss how our gut’s physiological signals interact with conscious decision-making. Alongside science, the episode bursts with relatable stories, candid advice, and memorable, sometimes hilarious moments about poop, gut instincts, and bodily joy.

Key Discussion Points

1. What Is a "Gut Feeling"?—The Science Behind the Phrase

[01:25], [04:46]

• Dr. Pasricha clarifies that gut feelings are real physiological responses, rooted in neurogastroenterology.
  • “Digestion begins in the brain... The gut is unlike so many other organs; our thoughts and feelings can so strongly influence what our gut is doing.” (Pasricha, 03:03)
• Gut contractions are modulated by emotional triggers, causing sensations like “butterflies” or a “sinking feeling.”
• The gut rapidly responds to perceived changes—sometimes before we’re consciously aware—via hormonal signals such as corticotrophin releasing hormone.

2. Should You Trust Your Gut?

[04:21], [07:29], [15:06]

• Culturally, gut instincts are valued as almost prophetic, but both Grant and Pasricha urge skepticism:
  • “A gut feeling has a true physiological basis, but it’s not an oracle. It’s just a message. And that message... is that you need to slow down.” (Pasricha, 04:46)
• They argue it’s best to interpret bodily signals with context—especially in unfamiliar settings where intuition may not be accurate.
  • “Blindly trusting your gut is in the same category as looking for answers in the stars. It seems very objective but it’s not valid.” (Grant, 15:06)

3. The Appeal and Pitfalls of Gut Decisions

[09:59], [10:12], [11:18], [12:35]

• Gut feelings are emotionally compelling because they’re our first physiological response, especially in states of stress or novelty.
• There’s a cognitive bias to remember times our gut was right and ignore when it failed.
  • “It’s unforgettable when you have this gut instinct, do not trust this person, and then they end up screwing you over... The message is not, I should always trust my gut.” (Grant, 11:32)
• Discomfort shouldn’t be automatically equated with danger—sometimes it signals positive novelty or growth.

4. Expertise, Intuition, and When to Trust Your Gut

[13:32]

• Grant references research showing that intuition works best in predictable domains, honed by experience (e.g., an expert detecting a fake handbag).
• In major life moments (business, romance), “gut” intuition is unreliable for most people due to limited prior experience.

5. The Gut–Brain Relationship & Digestive Myths

Lightning Round Begins [18:44]

• Worst GI advice: Over-relying on probiotics—“The data is far murkier... I find it really concerning when people are spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on these.” (Pasricha, 18:50)
• Best GI advice: “Treat your gut like a brain”—high-fiber diet, less processed food, prioritize sleep and exercise.
• Medical mindset shift: Rise in GI cancer among younger patients has changed how doctors approach new symptoms in young people.

6. Medical Gender Bias and Pain Communication

[21:45]

• Women’s pain is frequently dismissed in medicine, especially with gut-brain disorders.
• Grant recommends making pain descriptions concrete and relatable, e.g., “This hurts worse than stepping on a Lego.”
  • “If you say it’s a 7, and my 7 is this, and you give the concrete example... I think that would be helpful.” (Pasricha, 24:36)

7. Combating Health Misinformation

[25:21]

• To counter false beliefs, focus on building trust and teaching patients how to evaluate evidence, not just facts.
  • “What you want to do is establish a relationship whereby they trust your thought process, not just your conclusions.” (Grant, 27:03)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Blindly trusting your gut is in the same category as looking for answers in the stars.” —Adam Grant [15:06]
• “Discomfort is not inherently bad. Sometimes what pushes you...can be an incredibly good thing.” —Trisha Pasricha [12:48]
• On “pooforia”:
  “People feel such immense joy when they have a good bowel movement... there’s both a physiological basis and this sense of relief.” —Trisha Pasricha [37:39]
• “Joy equals sex plus shit.” —Adam Grant quoting a professor on sources of animal exuberance [37:13]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Understanding the Gut-Brain Link: [03:03]–[07:29]
• Why We Trust Gut Feelings (and Why We Should Pause): [07:41]–[15:17]
• Lightning Round – GI Myths, Advice, and Dinner Party Guests: [18:44]–[21:37]
• Medical Pain Advocacy for Women: [21:45]–[25:04]
• Changing Minds on Health Misinformation: [25:21]–[27:12]
• The Science (and Joy) of Pooping: [32:36]–[39:59]
• Advice for “Pooforia”: [40:44]–[42:56]

Practical Takeaways & Advice

• Don’t “trust” gut feelings blindly—interpret them as physiological signals meant to prompt reflection, not automatic action.
• Question probiotics hype: Most aren’t proven solutions for gut health.
• Treat both your gut and brain as vital organs; what’s good for one is good for the other.
• Describe pain in doctor visits with concrete, relatable comparisons for more empathy and advocacy.
• If struggling with GI embarrassment (e.g., incontinence), know you’re not alone—discuss symptoms with your doctor. Treatments exist, but stigma and silence prevent help.
• Avoid colon cleanses and detox rituals—your liver is the ultimate natural detoxifier.

Fun Facts & Mythbusting

• 7% of adults “poop their pants” regularly: It’s common and treatable—don’t be ashamed to tell your doctor. [28:30]
• Most people are curious about their poop—even if it seems gross. “Disgust” keeps us safe, but curiosity helps spot health problems. [32:36]
• You can reduce fart odor: Bismuth (e.g., Pepto-Bismol) before social events can neutralize sulfur compounds. [27:31]
• To achieve happier, healthier pooping (“pooforia”):
  • Squat or raise knees above waist while on the toilet.
  • Avoid smartphones—lingering leads to hemorrhoids. [40:44]

Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode blends serious science with levity and candor, turning taboo or “gross” topics into opportunities for learning and laughter. Dr. Pasricha’s expertise and humor make complex science relatable, while Adam Grant keeps things accessible and thoughtful, inviting listeners to rethink both their instincts and their habits—right down to using the bathroom.

Next Time You Get a Gut Feeling—pause, interpret, and, if needed, bring a footstool to the bathroom. Your gut (and brain) will thank you!