Jungian Archetypes and Digestive Health: Linking Emotional Patterns to Microbial Dysbiosis.
Introduction
Throughout history, scientists have explored the connection between mind, body, and energy, offering frameworks that bridge psychology, biology, and quantum science. The microbiome has been an important area of study as it houses the immune system, creates neurotransmitters, and impacts human behavior. With bi-directional communication between the bacteria within the gut and its host body, it becomes more important to understand not only bacterial diversity, dietary patterns, and supplemental inputs, but also how the mind is playing an active role in disease presentation.
Humans identify with stories, which Carl Jung termed “archetypes” or universal symbols and patterns within the collective unconscious that shape behaviors and experiences [1]. Stories create emotional patterns, which in turn create physiological responses through a variety of neurochemicals. Dr. Candace Pert discovered that neuropeptide receptors create a biochemical link between thoughts, emotions, and physical health [2]. Bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the environment, and sensations can all activate neural pathways and central nervous system (CNS) signaling systems. The aim of this study was to find preliminary correlations between self-identified archetypal patterns, common emotional expressions (virtues and shadows), and physical manifestations in the gut microbiome.
***To be a part of the study and get more information about your own gut and archetype, check out our Digestion Codes program***
Gut Microbiome and Neurological Disorders
The gut-brain axis is a bi-directional pathway in the vagus nerve that uses neurotransmitters as messengers. The brain creates neurotransmitters through genetics, hormones, nutrient availability, neuron stimulation, environmental, and psychological factors. These can travel to the gut and can influence motility, secretion, inflammation, and mood. Bacteria in the gut can create neurotransmitters, catalyze conversion of substrates in neurotransmitters, can act as signaling molecules to induce neurotransmitter synthesis, and breakdown proteins into amino acids which cross the blood brain barrier to create neurotransmitters [3], (Figure 1).
Cognitive function can be impacted by different microbial patterns which impact neurotransmitter production. See Figure 2. With measurable bacterial patterns present in neurological disorders, self-identified archetypal stories will influence bacterial diversity. Can imbalances be detected before they become disorders?
Gut Archetype Creation and Implications
Understanding personal archetypes provides insight into stories and sensations that rule day to day experiences. Sensations create neurotransmitters that link thoughts to physical health.
When in alignment with an archetype or in the positive emotional expression (virtue), one can experience sensations of happiness, fulfillment, purpose, and peace, which are correlated to the parasympathetic nervous system and the release of neurotransmitters like oxytocin, gaba, and acetylcholine. These neurotransmitters have been shown to have a more positive effect on overall health and well being.
When out of alignment or in the negative emotional expression (shadow) of an archetype, there is more stress, anger, frustration, codependency, control, and shame, which creates adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine. These neurochemicals have been shown to put more strain on the immune system, decrease gut function, and deplete energy levels. See Figure 3 which explores the relationship between the shadow state expression of archetypal stories and the correlated nervous system states and neurotransmitters.
In this study of women with digestive imbalances, they were functioning from the shadow stories within their archetypes and were most commonly experiencing constipation, bloating, diarrhea, eczema, fatigue, and pain. There were four main archetypal stories and patterns that were observed: chameleon gut, sage gut, discerning gut, and heroic gut. These were built from the twelve archetypes presented in Carl Jung’s body of work. Each archetype contains virtues, shadows, and predicted nervous system states along with correlated neurotransmitters.
Methods
Women with digestive imbalances including IBS, colitis, eczema, and general digestive discomfort were given archetype discovery surveys (Figure 4) along with PCR stool testing. No additional changes were made to diet or lifestyle prior to completing the stool test. Participants were told to stop probiotics, digestive enzymes and prebiotic fiber supplements 5 days prior to taking the stool test. Antibiotic use had to be halted a minimum of 2 weeks prior to taking the stool test.
Quiz results were analyzed using Tableau for descriptive statistics and word clouds in combination with Tableau to determine frequently occurring words and phrases present in free-form responses. Stool test results were analyzed using chi-square analysis and z-test for two proportions, with a p-value of 0.05 being considered statistically significant.
Key Findings
Of the 2,452 survey participants, 83% reported feeling matched with their given archetype. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best, participants felt that on average, their archetype resonated with them 4.24 out of 5 (4.17 chameleon, 4.23 discerning, 4.36 heroic, 4.38 sage).
More participants with chameleon gut had high candida markers present (4/18, 22.22%) compared to other archetypes (0/10 heroic; 0/4 discerning; 0/10 sage) however none were statistically significant. A higher proportion of those with chameleon gut had elevated bacillus, an opportunistic bacteria (11/18, 61.11%) compared to other archetypes (4/10, 40% heroic; 3/10, 30% sage; 1/4, 25% discerning) however none were statistically significant. A higher proportion of those with chameleon gut had elevated h. Pylori (7/18, 38.99%) compared to other heroic (2/10, 20%) and sage (3/10, 30%) archetypes, but none were statistically significant. Those with chameleon gut archetype had a statistically significantly greater presence of normal fusobacterium (18/18, 100%) when compared to discerning gut (3/4, 75%, p=0.015) but not statistically significant when compared to other archetypes.
Those with heroic gut archetype had a statistically significantly greater presence of high streptococcus (10/10, 100%) when compared to chameleon gut (12/18, 66.67%, p=0.0197), discerning gut (2/4, 50%, p=0.00776), and sage gut (6/10, 60%, p=0.01255).
Those with the heroic gut archetype had a statistically significantly greater presence of high zonulin (6/10, 60%) when compared to discerning gut (0/4, 0%, 0.02018) but not statistically significant when compared to other archetypes.
Those with discerning gut archetype had a statistically significantly greater presence of normal zonulin (4/4, 100%) when compared to chameleon gut (9/18, 50%, p=0.03288), heroic gut (3/10, 30%, p=0.00889), and sage gut (5/10, 50%, p=0.0392).
Those with sage gut archetype had a statistically significantly lower presence of normal enterococcus (1/10, 10%) when compared to chameleon gut (12/18, 33%, p=0.00199) and heroic gut (5/10, 50%, p=0.02559) but not statistically significant when compared to discerning gut.
Among all stool tests performed, all levels of bifidobacteria were within normal levels.
Limitations
Despite promising correlations, this study is limited by its observational nature and relatively small sample size for microbiome analysis. While archetype identification was highly resonant among participants, the self-reported nature of the surveys introduces the potential for response bias. Additionally, while stool PCR testing provides valuable insight into gut microbial composition, it does not capture the full complexity of the gut-brain-microbiome axis, including neurotransmitter production, metabolic and functional microbial activity.
Future studies should expand upon these findings by incorporating longitudinal analyses, metagenomic sequencing, and functional assays to determine whether these archetypal patterns have causal effects on gut microbiome shifts. Additionally, incorporating stress physiology markers, such as heart rate variability and cortisol levels, may further elucidate the physiological pathways linking emotional archetypes to microbial composition.
Implications for Gut Health and Emotional Well-Being
These results suggest that psychological patterns and behavioral tendencies may play an active role in shaping the gut microbiome. The nervous system states associated with each archetype appear to align with neurochemical imbalances that could directly impact gut function. For example, the Chameleon archetype’s reliance on dopamine-driven reward systems may contribute to microbial imbalances that favor opportunistic overgrowth. Similarly, the Heroic archetype’s high cortisol and norepinephrine levels may exacerbate gut permeability issues, potentially leading to heightened immune responses and systemic inflammation.
These findings show the importance of a holistic approach to digestive health that includes not only dietary, supplemental and microbial interventions but also emotional regulation and nervous system support. This establishes exciting potential for research to incorporate energetic profiling systems like human design and gene keys and find correlations in microbial patterns, energetic presentations and physical health.
With about 10% of the population being diagnosed with IBS, 2 out of 3 of those being women and 2.4-3.5 million visits to a gastroenterologist annually for IBS [14], this could be an additional healing approach for those struggling with digestive issues and IBS.
Discussion
The four identified archetypes—Chameleon, Sage, Discerning, and Heroic—demonstrated unique microbiome patterns, particularly in the presence of opportunistic bacteria, inflammatory markers, and beneficial microbes.
The Chameleon archetype, characterized by people-pleasing tendencies and high sensitivity, showed a greater presence of Candida, Bacillus, and H. pylori, all of which have been implicated in gut dysbiosis and increased gut permeability. Bacillus bacteria strains produce acetylcholine which regulate intestinal motility, secretions and enteric neurotransmissions [15]. Higher levels have been correlated with diarrhea. This may suggest that those who internalize stress or prioritize external validation over personal well-being may be at higher risk for microbial imbalances that contribute to chronic digestive issues.
The Heroic archetype, marked by high achiever tendencies and self-reliance, showed statistically significant elevations in Streptococcus and Zonulin, indicating potential gut barrier dysfunction and immune activation. This aligns with existing research linking chronic stress [16], perfectionist tendencies, and dysregulated gut permeability. Streptococcus has been shown to produce serotonin and be correlated with higher rates of IBD and colon cancer [17].
The Discerning archetype, associated with emotional overwhelm and a strong sense of intuition, demonstrated the highest presence of normal zonulin levels, suggesting a potential protective effect against leaky gut.
Conversely, the Sage archetype, representing deep introspection and leadership, exhibited a statistically lower presence of normal enterococcus, raising questions about the impact of cognitive processing styles on microbial diversity.
Conclusion
This study provides preliminary evidence that self-identified archetypal patterns may influence gut microbial composition and digestive health outcomes. The observed correlations between archetypes and microbial markers suggest that emotional and psychological tendencies may play a role in shaping gut microbiota, reinforcing the need for integrative approaches to digestive wellness. By bridging the gap between psychology and microbiology, this research paves the way for future studies exploring the role of emotional narratives in gut health and overall well-being.
***To be a part of the study and get more information about your own gut and archetype, check out our Digestion Codes program***
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