To Trust or Not to Trust, Your Gut
Oftentimes when we find ourselves stuck at a crossroads, we hear the familiar phrase to “go with your gut”. But what even is our gut and what does research show about trusting our gut?
Our gut is our intuition, and it is connected to our self-awareness. Think of trusting your gut as a sixth sense. One study actually found that individuals who follow their gut are more likely to morally do the right thing (Ward & King, 2018). A scientific study investigating this sense of intuition involved the use of an Iowa Gambling Task. Participants in the study were able to form a hunch around which decks were more profitable after about 40 attempts. It seems their mind noticed patterns regarding their wins and losses. The study saw changes in heartbeat and sweating when participants approached riskier decks which could underlie their “gut” feeling. Using one’s intuition is especially helpful when we are processing a large volume of complex information. We may benefit more often when using our unconscious mind/our gut to guide our decisions. It is also good for the need to make quick decisions or regarding decisions around leisure activities. Recent research has also shown that a person’s emotional intelligence may directly influence the quality of their gut instincts (Robson, 2022). Emotional intelligence may be tied to our ability to make good intuitive decisions. However, your gut can be skewed by traumatic events or mislabeled circumstances.
People often struggle with knowing when to trust their intuition versus when to rely on hard facts. Following your gut can feel natural, and as previously explained, is often beneficial. However, intuition isn’t always reliable as it is shaped by emotions, past experiences, and subconscious biases. While listening to your gut can be helpful for quick decisions, an article by Taylor Karl (2025) suggests that it may be more beneficial to rely on data when making big decisions, developing business plans, or requiring measurable outcomes, as data offers clear, objective insights.
Additionally, you may consider ignoring your intuition when it is clear it doesn’t have your best interests in mind, or it may lead to an impulsive decision. Dr. Alex Curmi (2025) suggests that intuition can be especially damaging for people with high levels of anxiety as it can give their anxiety more power. In these instances, trusting your gut can force you to stay within your comfort zone, which is not always a positive thing as this can hinder personal growth. This isn’t to say you should never trust your gut, but it is important to learn what is worth trusting and what is worth pushing through. Ultimately, the key is to find a balance between trusting your gut and relying on the evidence provided by the data. Want some help making a big decision, we’re here to help. Contact kaytie@kkjpsych.com to find out about how we can help.
Sources:
Curmi, A. (2025). The big idea: Should you trust your gut?. The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/31/the-big-idea-should-you-trust-your-gut
Karl, T. (2025). Making smarter decisions: The magic mix of instinct and data. New Horizons.
https://www.newhorizons.com/resources/blog/making-smarter-decisions
Robson, D. (2022, April 5). Intuition: When is it right to trust your gut instincts?. BBC News.
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220401-intuition-when-is-it-right-to-trust-your-gut-instincts
Ward, S. J., & King, L. A. (2018). Individual differences in reliance on intuition predict harsher moral judgments. Journal of personality and social psychology, 114(5), 825–849.
https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000153