Understanding What Drives Constipation &
Why the Nervous System Matters

Constipation is often reduced to “not enough fibre” or “not drinking enough water.” For some people those factors matter, but for many, the picture is more complex.

Constipation is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It reflects how well gut movement is working, how coordinated digestion is, how the microbiome is functioning, and how the nervous system is regulating the digestive tract.

For some, it means infrequent bowel movements. For others, it is daily discomfort, straining, incomplete emptying or hard stools. The experience can vary widely.

What Constipation Really Is

In most cases, constipation develops when gut motility slows or becomes poorly coordinated.

Common underlying contributors include:

  • sluggish movement of the colon

  • poor signalling from the enteric and central nervous systems

  • low stomach acid or weak digestive enzyme output

  • dehydration at the level of the bowel

  • imbalanced gut bacteria or methane-dominant SIBO

  • pelvic floor or abdominal tension

  • iron, calcium or certain medications

  • hormonal shifts, including thyroid and menstrual cycle changes

  • low-grade inflammation

  • chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation

This is why adding fibre alone can sometimes worsen symptoms rather than improve them.

The Gut–Brain Axis

Healthy bowel movements depend on rhythmic, relaxed nervous system signalling.

When the body is in fight, flight, freeze or shutdown, gut movement slows and the natural urge to empty can be suppressed. Over time, this can lead to harder stools, reduced sensitivity to the urge to go, and a feeling of being “backed up.”

Many people notice constipation worsens during:

  • periods of stress or emotional strain

  • busy or irregular routines

  • travel or disrupted sleep

  • times of pressure or feeling rushed

  • long-standing tension held in the abdomen or pelvis

For some, constipation becomes a physical expression of the body staying in a state of holding rather than releasing.

Why Common Constipation Advice Falls Short

High-fibre diets, laxatives and stimulant teas can offer short-term relief, but they rarely address why the bowel slowed down in the first place.

Without supporting gut motility, digestion, microbial balance and nervous system regulation, constipation often returns or becomes dependent on ongoing aids.

What Actually Helps Long Term

Lasting improvement comes from restoring natural movement and coordination in the digestive tract.

This often involves:

Supporting digestive strength
Improving stomach acid, enzyme output and bile flow so food is properly broken down upstream.

Restoring healthy motility
Using nutrition, supplements and lifestyle strategies to stimulate natural bowel movement.

Balancing the microbiome
Addressing methane-producing bacteria or other imbalances.

Reducing pelvic and abdominal tension
So the muscles involved in bowel movements can relax and coordinate.

Regulating the nervous system
Shifting the body out of chronic stress states and into patterns that support regular elimination.

Rebuilding confidence and routine
Creating predictable eating, movement and bathroom habits.

When these layers are supported together, bowel movements often become easier, more regular and less effortful.

TLDR

What drives constipation
Constipation usually reflects slowed gut movement influenced by digestion, microbial balance, hormones, medications and nervous system regulation.

The role of the nervous system
Stress states can suppress bowel reflexes and slow motility, making constipation persistent. Supporting nervous system regulation is often key to long-term change.

In short
Constipation is rarely just about fibre. It is usually a motility–microbiome–nervous system pattern. When these systems are supported together, regularity often returns naturally.

This is the Mind–Body–Biome approach.