The Gut-Brain Link

By Kurt SchroderMarch 09, 2021

Have you ever wondered about your Gut feeling? Or those moments when you experience butterflies in your stomach? Did you know that these feelings in your Gut are triggered by your Brain? Recent studies show that your brain affects your gut health and your gut can affect your brain health. The communication system between your gut and brain is called the Gut-Brain Axis.

How are the Gut and Brain Connected?

The Gut-Brain Axis is a term for the communication network that connects your gut and brain.

The Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) consists of bidirectional communication between the central and the enteric nervous system, linking the emotional and cognitive centres of the brain with peripheral intestinal functions. Recent advances in research have described the importance of gut microbiota in influencing these interactions. This interaction between microbiota and GBA appears to be bidirectional, namely through signalling from gut-microbiota to brain and from brain to gut-microbiota through neural, endocrine, immune, and humoral links.

The brain has a direct effect on the stomach and intestines. For example, the very thought of eating can release the stomach juices before food gets there. This connection goes both ways. A troubled intestine can send signals to the brain, just as a troubled brain can send signals to the gut. Therefore, a person’s stomach or intestinal distress can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress or depression. That’s because the brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) are intimately connected.

The Vagus Nerve and the nervous System

The Vagus nerve is one of the biggest nerves connecting your gut and brain. It sends signals in both directions. One study in humans found that people with IBS or Crohn’s disease had reduced vagal tone, indicating a reduced function of the Vagus nerve.

Neurotransmitters

Your gut and brain are also connected through chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are produced in the brain to control feeling and emotions such as serotonin and dopamine. Many of these neurotransmitters are also produced by your gut cells and the trillions of microbes living there. A significantly large proportion of serotonin is produced in the gut. Your gut microbes also produce a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which regulates and control feelings of fear and anxiety

Your Gut-Brain Axis is also connected through the immune system. Gut and gut microbes play an important role in your immune system and inflammation by controlling what is passed into the body and what is excreted. If your immune system is not taken care of and is taking strain it can lead to inflammation which is associated with several brain disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and anxiety.