The altered circumstances stress creates in the gut allow different bacteria to survive there than in periods of low stress. We could say stress changes the weather in the gut. Tough guys who have no problem with turbulence will reproduce successfully—and at the end of the day they are not likely to spread good cheer in the gut. If this theory is true, that would make us not just the victims of our own gut bacteria, but also the gardeners of our inner world. It would also mean that our gut is capable of making us feel the negative effects long after the period of stress is over.
