Medications & Supplements that Could be Causing Your Constipation

We have a tendency to focus only on food & nutrition when it comes to gut health & elimination; but the reality is that there are a lot of other factors involved. Our nervous systems, our unprocessed trauma, how we move, and our lifestyles are all major factors.

I was reminded of this big time this past summer.

In July, my partner and I took a 2 week trip to Spain. We spent a week in Barcelona, and then a week in a tiny town in Andalusia. It was warm, sunny, beautiful, and luxurious.

me in La Linea, Andalusia; blissfully unaware of what was about to come!

But, on the flight back, I got covid.

When I got covid I learned something interesting: when we get sick, our bodies go into extreme sympathetic activation. Our heart rate goes up, heart rate variability goes down, stress goes up, and emotional resilience goes down.

In an attempt to combat these side effects and really aid me in re-regulating, I decided to incorporate a GABA supplement into my routine more regularly until my covid-induced NS dysregulation goes away.

[note: GABA, aka gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a neurotransmitter that helps reduce feelings of anxiety & stress. the supplement just contains GABA to help increase GABA levels]

Otherwise, I was maintaining all my usual protocols: eating lots of fruit, drinking coconut water & my cleansing water, exercising, meditating, doing breathwork, etc.; but, I was getting really backed up.

I assumed it was because of my covid-induced sympathetic activation, so I kept taking more and more GABA, thinking it would help.

One day, I had a little AHA moment, and I stopped and starting doing some research.

It turns out, the GABA was causing the constipation.

this is my "wtf?! how could this have happened" face

I literally couldn’t believe it. Here I was taking more and more of this supplement thinking it would help, and instead, it was making things worse.

Needless to say, I immediately cut out the GABA. I started eliminating consistently, my bloat went down; and, interestingly, as a result of getting regular again, my NS also re-regulated itself!

AMAZING.

Ironically (or maybe not so ironically?) I happened to be working on the Blush Academy Gut Health Bible Course at the time, so I did more research on medications, herbs, and supplements that could be causing constipation. Here is an excerpt from the course:

Medications

Opioid Painkillers: Opioids like morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone are well-known for causing constipation. They bind to receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, slowing down peristalsis—the wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive system. This results in delayed transit time, leading to harder, drier stools. Studies show that up to 81% of people on long-term opioid therapy experience constipation.

Antidepressants: Both tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can cause constipation, though they do so through different mechanisms. TCAs like amitriptyline and nortriptyline have anticholinergic effects, which decrease gut motility by blocking the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in muscle contractions. SSRIs like fluoxetine and sertraline can also cause constipation, possibly due to their effects on serotonin levels, which play a role in regulating bowel function.

Antacids Containing Aluminum and Calcium: Antacids that contain aluminum (e.g., aluminum hydroxide) or calcium (e.g., calcium carbonate) can cause constipation. Aluminum inhibits smooth muscle contraction in the colon, while calcium can lead to harder stools by binding to fatty acids and bile salts, forming insoluble soaps that contribute to stool dryness.

Antihypertensive Medications: Some blood pressure medications, particularly calcium channel blockers like verapamil, can cause constipation by relaxing the smooth muscles in the intestinal wall, which slows peristalsis. Beta-blockers, such as propranolol, can also reduce gut motility as a side effect.

Diuretics: Diuretics like furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide can lead to constipation by increasing urine output, which reduces fluid levels in the body. With less water available, stools can become harder and more difficult to pass.

Iron: Iron pills are notorious for causing constipation. Iron can be difficult for the body to absorb, and the unabsorbed portion can cause oxidative stress in the gut, leading to inflammation and reduced motility. Approximately 25-50% of people taking iron supplements report constipation.

Calcium: Calcium pills, like those taken to prevent or treat osteoporosis, can also cause constipation. Like antacid calcium, these supplements can bind to other compounds in the intestines and form hard, dry stools. This effect is more pronounced when calcium is taken in large doses or without sufficient water. 

Supplements

Calcium and Magnesium Supplements: While magnesium often has a laxative effect, high doses of calcium, especially when taken alone or in combination with magnesium in disproportionate amounts, can lead to constipation. Magnesium helps draw water into the intestines, but excessive calcium can counteract this effect by promoting the formation of hard stools.

 GABA Supplements: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve activity in the brain, producing a calming effect. While GABA supplements are often used for anxiety, they can also slow down the nervous system’s control over gut motility. This can lead to constipation, particularly if the supplement is taken in high doses or if you are particularly sensitive to changes in neurotransmitter levels.

Iron Supplements: The same mechanism that causes constipation with iron in medications applies to supplements. The unabsorbed portion of iron supplements can irritate the gut lining and reduce motility, leading to constipation. To reduce this effect, taking iron supplements with vitamin C can enhance absorption and reduce the risk of constipation.

Fiber Supplements: Fiber supplements like psyllium can sometimes cause constipation instead of relieving it, particularly if you don’t drink enough water. Fiber absorbs water and adds bulk to the stool, but without sufficient hydration, it can lead to hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass.

Probiotic Supplements: Although probiotics are often used to support gut health, some strains or formulations can cause constipation, especially in the initial stages of use. This is usually due to the body adjusting to changes in gut microbiota. For example, while strains like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are generally beneficial, some people may experience temporary constipation as their gut flora rebalances.

Omega-3 Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory, but in some people, high doses can slow down gut motility, leading to constipation. This is more common with fish oil supplements, which can have a mild dehydrating effect, contributing to harder stools.

Herbs

Senna and Cascara Sagrada: Although these are often used as natural laxatives, overuse can lead to constipation. Prolonged use of stimulant laxatives can cause the bowel to become dependent on them, weakening the muscles in the colon and making natural bowel movements more difficult. We will talk more about laxatives in the next module!

Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is another herb commonly used for its laxative properties, but like senna and cascara, the aloe latex can cause dependency if used too frequently. This can lead to rebound constipation when you stop using it.

Peppermint: generally good for digestion, but in some people, it can cause constipation by relaxing the smooth muscles of the intestines too much, slowing down peristalsis. This effect is usually dose-dependent and more likely to occur with concentrated supplements rather than dietary intake.

Chamomile and Valerian: These herbs are commonly used to promote relaxation and sleep, but because they have a calming effect on the nervous system, they can also reduce gut motility in some individuals, leading to constipation.

Kava Kava: Known for its calming effects, kava can slow down gut motility similar to GABA, leading to constipation. This is particularly true if kava is taken in large doses or for an extended period.

For More on Constipation

I wrote a little ebook with healthy, yummy recipes that help your gut health, help you debloat, and help with constipation. And it’s free! You can download it here.