Charles Darwin Interview

Charles Darwin, the legendary naturalist, is best known for his groundbreaking theory of evolution by natural selection. At the age of 22, he embarked on the HMS Beagle voyage. The expedition, which lasted from 27th December 1831 to 2nd October 1836, took Darwin around the world and allowed him to gather invaluable observations and specimens that would later form the foundation of his theory of evolution.

However, throughout his life, Darwin also dealt with a mysterious, chronic illness that seemed to haunt him. Many historians now believe he may have suffered from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition that caused him chronic stomach issues and frequent bouts of discomfort, often leaving him bedridden. The difficult conditions aboard the ship, including poor food and a challenging diet, likely contributed to the onset of these symptoms.

After an extensive negotiation with the afterlife (and after studying the latest scientific article on Darwin’s illness), the miGut-Health team has managed to secure a very exclusive short interview with the man himself! What does Darwin himself have to say about his gut issues, and how can the miGut-Health team help him better understand his symptoms?

MiGut-Health Project: Good afternoon, Mr Darwin. Thank you for agreeing to speak with us as part of the miGut-Health project. We hope to shed some light on your physical condition.

Charles Darwin: Good afternoon! It’s not every day one gets to discuss one’s ailments so publicly, but I’m intrigued by the scientific advances of your time.

MiGut-Health Project: Could you please describe some of the physical symptoms you’ve been experiencing?

Charles Darwin: Of course. Over the years, I’ve suffered from a persistent pain in my abdomen that seems to come and go unpredictably. My digestion is rather unsettled, with regular vomiting. This is often accompanied by fatigue that leaves me quite incapacitated for days on end.

MiGut-Health Project: That sounds distressing. Have you noticed any particular triggers for these symptoms?

Charles Darwin: Certain types of food seem to trigger it. I often experience excessive flatulence after consuming spices or salad, although pudding seems to make it better! But, also stress, I believe, is a significant culprit. The symptoms worsened during my more intense periods of writing and research. But there are times when it flares up without any obvious reason, regardless of diet or exertion.

MiGut-Health Project: Have you experienced any other symptoms? Joint pain, perhaps, or skin issues?

Charles Darwin: Oh, yes. I’ve noticed the occasional rash, though I don’t know if there is a connection. My back is frequently feeling locked and rigid.

MiGut-Health Project: These symptoms can indeed be interconnected. Has this impacted your work at all?

Charles Darwin: It’s been a constant impediment! There are many days when I can hardly lift a pen to advance my projects. Sometimes I feel a dreadful numbness in my finger tips and my hands are burning.

MiGut-Health Project: Mr. Darwin, you’ve spoken about your health struggles, but many are unaware that your symptoms began during your journey on the Beagle. Could you tell us how this long voyage may have impacted your condition?

Charles Darwin: Well, prior to the journey, I had not experienced such debilitating symptoms. As you may imagine, life on the ship meant constant motion, changes in climate and shifts in diet. The food was quite different from what I was used to. The preserved meats, salted foods, and sometimes rather questionable provisions did not sit well with my stomach.

MiGut-Health Project: It sounds like a challenging adjustment. Do you think these changes to your diet and environment contributed to the onset of your symptoms?

Charles Darwin: I believe they did. The long stretches of time spent in close quarters with poor ventilation and the dietary changes took their toll. There was also the stress of navigating unknown waters, hot and humid climates in South America, coupled with the lack of regular fresh produce. I began to notice irregularities in my digestion—nausea, bloating, and occasional vomiting—which intensified as the journey progressed. It was unlike anything I’d experienced back home.

MiGut-Health Project: Thankfully, we’ve come a long way in understanding conditions that cause such symptoms. Based on what you’ve described, I suspect you may have Crohn’s Disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease.

Charles Darwin: Crohn’s Disease? I’ve not heard of it. Please enlighten me.

MiGut-Health Project: It’s a chronic condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the digestive tract, causing inflammation. This explains the abdominal pain, the digestive issues, and even the joint pain and fatigue you’ve mentioned. It’s exacerbated by stress, though it’s not caused by it.

Charles Darwin: How extraordinary.

MiGut-Health Project: The good news is that, in 2025, we have treatments to manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. Through dietary adjustments, medication, and even psychological support for managing stress, many people lead fulfilling lives despite the condition. For now, you can find out more about it in this article we recently published: [include a link to the press release]

Charles Darwin: Certainly, I am very intrigued.

MiGut-Health Project: We hope we were already able to fill in some gaps for you, but we really need to get back to our research for now. Goodbye!

Charles Darwin: Thank you for this illuminating conversation and goodbye.

This fictional interview was written by the MiGut-Health team based on the publication ‘Darwin's Illness: A Final Diagnosis’, published by Fernando Orrego and Carlos Quintana in 2007 (DOI: 10.1098/rsnr.2006.0160)