The Gut-Brain Connection

Did you know that the body has a “second brain” also known as the “enteric nervous system” or your “gut”?

Its main responsibility is to control digestion from swallowing to the release of enzymes that break down food and control blood flow to help with nutrient absorption until elimination.

Do you ever wonder why you feel “butterflies” in your stomach when you’re nervous? Or a situation causes you to feel “nauseous”?

Well… your gut is also susceptible to emotions like anger, anxiety, joy, and sadness so if you feel any of these emotions, it is not surprising that you will also feel a gut-wrenching feeling in your stomach.   

It also has a direct communication with the brain, so, if your intestines are “stressed” from leaky gut or an imbalanced flora, they can send signals to the brain and vice versa. Because of this connection, gut issues can be the cause or effect of stress, anxiety, and depression. It is also safe to say that these “brains” can affect your overall mental health.

The connection between your gut and brain is called the “gut-brain axis” and it is REAL.

HOW ARE THEY CONNECTED?

These two brains are connected in two main ways:

1. Physically

The gut has 500 million neurons that are connected to the brain through the nervous system.

The biggest nerve that connects your gut and brain is called the “vagus nerve”. It controls the messages to the gut, heart, lungs, and other vital organs.

2. Chemically

The gut is also connected with the brain through chemicals like neurotransmitters that send messages to the brain and hormones. Neurotransmitters produced in the brain control your feelings and emotions. 

There are also neurotransmitters that are produced by your gut cells including a large part of serotonin which is known as the “happy hormone” because it controls mood, happiness, and the feelings of well-being.

The gut microbes also produce gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter which helps regulate feelings of fear and anxiety.

BOTTOM LINE

Your gut is interrelated with your brain in so many ways so it is important that you take care of your gut!

A leaky gut can cause severe brain problems which can affect your vitality, especially longevity.

But it’s not only about symptoms such as depression, low mood, and anxiety. 

What about other neurological diseases? If you know anyone that has a neurological condition such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Seizures, and Parkinson’s, then please pass this along to them. It can truly change their life. You can’t fix anything else without fixing the gut. 

One of the ways to heal your gut is by going through my GI Protocol. Results speak louder than words and many have seen incredible changes in their mental health after completing it successfully. 

Remember, this is not just for the “NOW”, this is also for your “FUTURE” self.


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