How I Healed my Chronic Constipation
I have struggled with constipation my entire life. I always felt weighed down & sluggish. I never felt comfortable wearing the clothes I wanted to wear because my tummy felt round all the time. Sometimes, I experienced severe pain. And now, looking back on it, I can see how much it affected my mood.
My constipation weighed me down, both literally, and figuratively. It was a weight that prevented me from fully shining the way I was meant to. I don’t think I even fully grasped the weight of it until I became regular.
Now I can see how much it affected me.
Now that I’m regular, I’m so much happier. My mood is better. I’m less irritable. I get angry less. I don’t have breakdowns as often. I’m more confident. I’m mentally sharper. I’m more funny, more quick-witted. I am more social, more fun to be around. And most importantly, I feel more comfortable & secure in my body.
My Background
My mom tells me that my constipation began when I was weaned off of breast milk just before I was 2 years old (quick shoutout to my angel of a mother who breast fed me for that long!!).
I always assumed that there was some kind of nutrient in the breast milk that kept me regular. But, even though I do believe that human breast milk is truly magic, based on my decades of research and exploration into the subject, I actually think that the reality is more nuanced.
Breastfeeding is a deep form of connection for mother and child. Being held and fed with the body is a way of bonding, and the baby feels safe, nurtured, and protected. It is the first form of coregulation that we have.
It makes sense that I was regular when I was breastfeeding. My nervous system was regulated, and I felt safe and secure.
It also makes sense that I started to struggle when I was weaned. I no longer had that constant skin-to-skin and being held by my mother. I was out in the big, scary, world; which can always be disorienting, but is particularly so when you have an aggressive, angry father, as I did.
Throughout my childhood, I would often get constipated enough that my mom-- who is extremely conservative with her use of Western medicine-- would resort to feeding my laxative chocolates.
By the time I was 18, I was regularly buying ex-lax.
At 19, I had a colonoscopy (which didn't find any glaring problems, likely just low gut motility).
After that, I continued taking laxatives. By the time I finished college, I was fully dependent on Dulcolax to be able to go. I would take them by the fistful, on the daily.
This continued until I was 30 years old. 30!!! After I took the bar exam, my parents encouraged me to take some time to get off of laxatives. During this time, I saw every kind of practitioner you could imagine. I went to gut health experts, naturopaths, acupuncturists, chiropractors, and more. I was poked, prodded, adjusted, tested, and manipulated. I cut my hair to have it tested for my mineral levels, I tried every type of herb and supplement, and I even had a lady manually move the poop through my colon from my tummy.
It did work. Well, kinda.
After months of seeing every kind of specialist out there while tapering down on the laxatives, I was able to get off of laxatives.
The problem? I started taking Mag07 instead.
Mag07 is a very intense formulation of magnesium. It's not an absorbable form of magnesium (read: don't take it to increase your magnesium levels), but rather a type of laxative disguised as magnesium.
Towards the end of 2022, I felt that ping that it’s time to get off of the Mag07. In January of 2023, I told a few friends that I intended to get off of it at some point that year. And I started doing a tremendous amount of research. I learned so much about different strains of probiotics, the different types of fiber, and how to properly hydrate your colon (hint: it doesn’t involve drinking water).
I also learned more about the emotional components of constipation. The link between constipation & unresolved trauma. The role of the vagus nerve.
And most importantly, I learned how to address constipation from a holistic angle- truly mind, body, spirit.
I have been fully off of Mag07 since September 2023, and I have been completely regular— I have pooped every single day, not to brag!
How I Got Here
Throughout my lifelong struggle with chronic constipation, I have tried pretty much every remedy out there. I’ve tried every form of laxative, every herb, every natural supplement, prescription medication…you name it, I’ve tried it.
I’ve been to hundreds of practitioners, from the most western doctors, to woo-woo ladies with curly hair and crystals in their offices.
I tried massaging my belly, I tried yoga for constipation, I even tried putting a vibrating ball in my taint (sadly I’m not joking).
I tried hundreds of different diets, elimination diets, low FODMAP, AIP protocol…pretty much anything and everything out there.
Ironically, the solution was simpler than I thought, but it also was harder? Let me explain…
It was simpler in that it didn’t require any crazy practices, expensive supplements, or weird “hacks.”
It was harder in that it required time, dedication, and consistency. There was no magic pill to fix this. I had to really get deep and fix this on a root level.
So here is a brief overview of what actually worked:
1. HYDRATION • hydrating the colon is the most important thing, and drinking plain water does very little to hydrate the colon. i switched all of my plain drinking water with mineral-rich nettle infusions. I also drank lemon water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, drank lots of celery and wheatgrass juice, and ate lots of hydrating fruits & fruits that help draw water into the colon. my mineral-rich “Detox & Debloat” broth is great for this too— recipe here
2. NUTRITION • I was already eating a high-fiber diet, but a massive change that I made was to include more fresh whole fruits, especially on an empty stomach. since then, I have learned more about the different types of fiber, and how to pair other nutrients with fiber to help stimulate bowel movements. For example, pairing a fat source like avocados or nuts with high soluble-fiber foods like beans, is a really powerful way to induce a bowel movement. All of my recipes are focused on gut health, and a lot of them are actually designed to be laxative-foods.
3. MOVEMENT • doing some consistent resistance training on top of already walking on average 15-20K steps a day really worked wonders, both for gently moving things; but also for increasing my stress tolerance. Note: I am NOT saying that you have to walk 15-20K steps a day. I already walked that much because I live in NYC and I love to walk. Some walking is necessary for good digestive health, but it certainly does not need to be that much. But adding some mindful movement to your routine will likely really help.
4. INCREASED MY MENTAL RESILIENCE • mental resilience refers to the ability to cope with and adapt to stress, challenges, and adversity. While it might seem unrelated, there is a significant connection between mental resilience and chronic constipation, which involves various physiological and psychological factors.
The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication system between the gut and the brain, involving the central nervous system (CNS), the enteric nervous system (ENS) of the gut, and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Chronic stress and psychological factors such as anxiety and depression can disrupt the balance of the gut-brain axis, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms, including constipation.
Stress activates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's fight-or-flight response. This activation can inhibit gastrointestinal motility by diverting blood flow away from the digestive organs and causing muscle contractions in the gut to slow down. As a result, chronic stress and anxiety can contribute to constipation by reducing the frequency and intensity of bowel movements.
Chronic constipation is often associated with psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, and poor quality of life. These psychological factors can exacerbate symptoms of constipation and contribute to a vicious cycle where constipation leads to increased stress and anxiety, which further worsen constipation. Additionally, chronic constipation can lead to increased sensitivity to pain in the gastrointestinal tract, a phenomenon known as visceral hypersensitivity. Stress and psychological factors can amplify this pain perception through complex interactions between the CNS and the ENS. Heightened pain perception can further exacerbate symptoms of constipation and lead to avoidance behaviors, perpetuating the cycle of constipation.
Improving mental resilience can help individuals develop effective coping mechanisms to manage stress and anxiety, thereby reducing their impact on gastrointestinal function.
The way that I increased my mental resilience is twofold: first, I learned to recognize what nervous system state I was in at any given time, and I implemented the reactive tools that I need in that moment to up-or-down-regulate as needed; next, I started doing active breathwork practices that strengthen the nervous system & increase mental resiliency.
If you want assistance with doing this, the Blush Academy Nervous System course really walks you through regulating your nervous system & increasing your mental resilience. It is the exact formula that I used to get here.
5. NEUROPLASTICITY • people who experience chronic constipation often grew up in households where they didn’t feel safe & secure. I did a lot of inner child work to really overcome that. the modality of inner child work that i practice uses hypnosis & bilateral stimulation to create new neural pathways that mimic that of a secure upbringing
If you want assistance with doing this, there are countless Neural Rewiring Practices within the Blush Academy that help you build new neural pathways, overcome old limiting beliefs, and prime your brain for the future that you want.
6. TOOK THE PRESSURE OFF • i used to get REALLY triggered any time I was constipated. that’s why i took laxatives for many years, and then graduated to a more intense/harmful formulation of magnesium. when i decided to get off the intense magnesium, i knew that i had to mentally be ok with just feeling distended & uncomfortable for a while until my colon learned how to function on its own again
7. HERBS • i made an herb blend that is non-habit forming, that is nourishing to the body as a whole, that REALLY helps get things going. comment if you want more info on this
How You Can Get Here, Too
I know this feels like a lot of information, and may feel a bit overwhelming.
Here’s where I would start, if I was you: start by increasing your intake of hydrating and fiber rich foods.
Most hydrating beverages:
Lemon water (1/2 lemon per 8oz of room temp water. start your day with this)
Overnight nettle infusions
Overnight chickweed infusions
Green vegetable juices (only veggies— I would not drink fruit juices!)
My detox & debloat broth (recipe here)
real coconut water (like from an actual coconut, or harmless harvest brand)
Most hydrating fruits:
papaya
honeydew
cantaloupe
kiwi
yellow dragon fruit
And def check my instagram page (under the reels tab) for tons of lists of foods for constipation.
Next, I would start gently increasing your movement. Go for 20 minute walks after every single meal. That’s one of the most effective starting places.
Pilates, yoga, and any sort of movement that you enjoy is going to do so much to improve your gut health & your mental health, which are so cyclical.
After that, I would start looking into the mind-body aspect. Start doing restorative breathwork to help you get back into your parasympathetic nervous system.
Do active breathwork to help you increase your mental resilience & your capacity for stress.
Do self-hypnosis or work with a professional to help you overcome painful & shameful memories from your past that have implanted limiting beliefs & insecurities that are holding you back from your dream life.
The Academy
Personally, the combination of active breathwork, restorative breathwork, and Neural Rewiring Practices is what literally changed my life. I teach the exact modality that I used to change my life, and to continue to uplevel my life, in the Blush Academy, and you can definitely use that as a one-stop-shop.
I actually am not pushing this to try to sell you my digital courses— I’m linking it because I’ve already done all the work for you. These course have my 20+ years of personal research packaged into a nice bow, ready to use, for you.
You don’t have to go on all the detours and pitfalls that I went through, you don’t have to spend hundreds of hours researching, writing, and creating effective hypnosis modalities. It’s all ready to use, and if you are consistent, you will see changes.
Blush Academy’s “Nervous System Regulation” is a comprehensive course designed to help you unlock the secrets of your body's own healing mechanisms. Through a blend of science-backed techniques and practical exercises, you'll learn how to regulate your nervous system and restore balance to your digestive system, leaving constipation behind for good.
What sets this course apart is its foundation in behavioral science, leveraging proven principles to create lasting change. We understand that overcoming chronic constipation isn't just about physical remedies—it's about rewiring your brain to adopt healthier habits and attitudes towards your body.
Here's what you can expect from "Nervous System Regulation":
Understanding Your Nervous System: Dive deep into the intricate workings of your nervous system, uncovering the role it plays in regulating digestion and bowel function. Gain valuable insights into how stress and anxiety impact your gut health, and learn practical strategies to manage these factors effectively.
Mind-Body Connection: Explore the powerful connection between your mind and body, discovering how thoughts and emotions can influence your digestive health. Through mindfulness techniques and relaxation exercises, you'll learn to cultivate a sense of calm and balance that supports optimal gut function.
Behavioral Change Techniques: Master the art of behavior change with evidence-based strategies that make healthy habits stick. From goal setting to habit formation, you'll learn how to create a sustainable lifestyle that supports digestive wellness and overall well-being.
Practical Tools and Resources: Access a treasure trove of resources, including guided meditations, breathwork practices, and neural rewiring practices to support your journey towards better digestive health.
And if you’re ready to truly be the brightest, most vibrant version of yourself; I would become a Blush Academy Member. With the Membership, you get access to the Gut Health course & the Nervous System Regulation course; but you also get access to the Inner Child Healing course, Attachment Styles course, the Secure Attachment Workbook; courses on fighting, breaking up, decentering romance, and so much more. It also gives you access to so many Neural Rewiring Practices that harness the power of neuroplasticity to help you re-wire your brain into that of a secure, confident, person.
The Membership really is the most comprehensive resource in the world for helping you be the BEST version of you. It will help you:
feel lighter & brighter
be more confident & secure
experience less rumination, intrusive thoughts, and hypervigilence
feel less irritable
have more harmonious relationships
be able to be seen more
be able to live a bigger, bolder life
truly embody the life you were always meant to have
The Membership also gives you access to a personalized Q&A service, along with weekly bonus content, and I’m working on uploading all of my recipes that I have developed to the Membership. You get all of this for a low monthly price.
There’s no commitment, no exorbitant fees, just legit advice that actually works for less than the cost of a smoothie per week; AND you get a free trial to experience the magic before you commit!
