A new study shows that stress can produce irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.

According to researchers from Tokyo University of Science, mice exposed to psychological stress developed symptoms similar to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition characterized by a cluster of related gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.

On his account, Dr. Mark E. Tanchel, a gastroenterologist at Gastroenterology Associates of New Jersey, said as quoted by Healthline that "individuals who experience symptoms of IBS are more likely to report a history of stress than those without IBS, even though a specific link has not been definitively established."

The researchers found that "chronic vicarious social defeat stress" (cVSDS) — a type of forced psychological stress — was linked to greater intestinal transit ratio and visceral pain-related behaviors in mice.

The IBS-like symptoms last for one month after the induced stress end, according to the researchers. When mice were given keishikashakuyakuto, a traditional Japanese herbal remedy believed to alleviate IBS symptoms, the symptoms were relieved.

It is worth noting that psychological stress was induced by subjecting test animals to physical aggression for 10 minutes per day for ten days in a row.

Specialists believe that the findings of the Japanese study could pave the way for new treatments for stress-related gastrointestinal issues.