There are a few ways the brain has been proven to affect the gut: stress causes increase in gut motility, and changes in bacteria. I don&#x27;t think there&#x27;s much evidence of the gut bacteria affecting the brain, except in the case of an ongoing infection.<p>I&#x27;m curious which lifestyle changes you made. The changes that seem to help with CFS and low cortisol involve increasing activity, not just reducing stress.