A condition in which the colon muscle contracts more readily and causes abdominal pain and cramps, excess gas, bloating and a change in bowel habits. Some people with IBS have constipation, which means hard, difficult-to-pass, or infrequent bowel movements, while others experience diarrhoea, which is frequent, loose, watery stools. Other people with IBS alternate between constipation and diarrhoea.

Participation in an MBSR programme is associated with improvement of IBS-related quality of life and GI-specific anxiety.