May 15, 2024
“Wait. What? I have a second brain?” is precisely what I blurted out when I learned about the connection between the gut and the brain. Our gut is our second brain, and here is what I learned as a student and licensed clinical therapist. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract houses a network of nerve cells totaling more than 100 million, known as the enteric nervous system.
"The gut-brain connection involves two-way communication between the brain and the gut, connecting emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with various intestinal functions," Professor Nick Spencer from Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health explains. "Recent research progress underscores the significance of gut microbiota in regulating these pathways."
In other words, how we treat our gut affects our brain, mood, and thoughts. Our gut produces 95 percent of serotonin, a " feel-good” chemical that helps us digest, relax, rest, and sleep. The gut releases serotonin through food, which later acts on nerves communicating with the brain. To simplify this, you are what you eat.
The study of the relationship between gut health and mental well-being is intriguing and ongoing. Learning about the importance of supplementing our bodies with nutritious food is the first step to giving our brains the nurture they need to avoid sleep issues, anxiety, major depressive disorder, and many other conditions. Begin by consulting with your doctor and consuming a healthy diet rich in fiber-packed foods such as fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Adding probiotics and prebiotics to our regimen is also encouraged for a healthy gut and brain. An eating pattern characterized by excessive fat and sugar and lacking in fiber, commonly known as a "Western" diet, can potentially diminish specific gut bacteria strains, reducing the diversity of your microbiota.
Signing off as your therapy girly giving you the psychoeducation and information you need to thrive with your mental health.
-Andrea Bardac, LCSW, MJ
Therapy Vibes Chicago