In this paper, we sought to understand the biological effects of anxiety, especially in the return of students to in-person classes. Previous research has shown that general anxiety is associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), increases in ambulation (movement), elevations in the stress hormone cortisol, increased risk of inflammatory disease, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), and increased amygdala size. In our correlational study, we tested the strength of these relationships by examining naturalistic daily changes in their variables longitudinally over a period of one week. We measured amygdala activity by increases of heart rate after watching frightening videos, inflammation by measuring the circumference of the wrist, cortisol level by a daily symptom questionnaire, IBS symptoms by an IBS symptoms questionnaire, locomotor activity by step count tracking, hyperhidrosis symptoms by partially filling out the Hyperhidrosis Quality of Life Index, and anxiety by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Data pooled across participants in our correlational study showed significant correlations only between IBS and anxiety. Knowing that there is a correlation between IBS and anxiety can be helpful in treatments of IBS patients by using anti-anxiety medications in some cases, especially for patients with emotional distress.
