What is the 2nd brain and why talk about it here? Well, obviously, we all know about the brain in our skull; otherwise, how could I write this post unless this were that creepy, cool television episode of Lynda Carter’s “Wonder Woman”.
I’m not going to get too scientific because I’m a firm believer in leaving science talk to those who are fluent in that language. But I do find such information interesting and revealing about our mind + body connection and the vital role both stress & food plays in the success or failure of our mind + body connection functioning optimally.
The “2nd brain” is called such because it operates independently, influences behavior and communicates with our central nervous system. This “2nd brain” is located in our gut and it is called the Enteric Nervous System (ENS). When our brain experiences stress it signals the ENS which in turn diverts blood away from our stomach creating ‘butterflies in our stomach’ sensations; or the ENS will change our gut’s normal contractions resulting in nausea. So what does all this have to do with food? You decide … if anything, everything or nothing at all.
It’s estimated 200-600 million neurons are built within our digestive system, which is more than in our spinal cord. They transform food into fuel. Food digestion requires a variety of precise chemical reactions happening at both the right time and place. So what happens when we swallow food containing harmful bacteria? Inside our gut lives nearly 80% of the body’s lymphocyte cells (theses guys are part of our immune system baby!) They alert ENS to protect the body by igniting powerful contractions to remove the toxins via vomit or diarrhea. Who wants to experience that?! Unfortunately, we all have but better out than in because those toxins would hitch rides with free radicals and cause who knows what levels of chaos inside our bodies.
The Enteric Nervous System produces 95% serotonin and 50% dopamine found in our body. Serotonin regulates anxiety, happiness and mood while dopamine helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers. Indeed, these neurotransmitters control our moods and what impacts them? The food we eat! How does ENS send its signals to the brain and vice versa? By means of the vagus nerve.
The vagus nerve is one of the 12 cranial nerves. It is the longest of all cranial nerves extending from the brain stem to the abdomen. In route it passes through multiple organs including the heart, esophagus and lungs. In fact, the vagus nerve branches to all major organs except the adrenal and thyroid glands. It forms part of the involuntary nervous system and controls unconscious body procedures such as keeping constant heart rate and controlling food digestion.
The vagus nerve does the following: helps absorb vitamin B12, helps controls heart rate and blood pressure, helps control blood glucose balance in the liver and pancreas, helps release bile in the gallbladder, helps glucose control in the kidneys among many other vital tasks. When the ENS transmits signals to the brain via the vagus nerve do you think our other organs are effected? Something to think about.
The Enteric Nervous System manages the function of the gastrointestinal tract and communicates with our brain by means of the vagus nerve. The types of food we put inside our bodies and our responses to various forms of stress will either undermine or stimulate the vagus nerve. When this nerve is active great things happen for our bodies and when it is not disease can form. Hippocrates said “All Disease begin in the Gut”.
Ultimately, the human body is wonderfully made!! The intricacies in which our various systems work and the way nerve signals transmit to one another like a highway – no! – better still – like a rain forest!! Every living creature from small to large serves a purpose for the sustainability of the rain forest. Likewise, from cells to glands to organs to nerves they all work together to protect, provide and sustain our body’s existence all without us consciously telling it to do so. Give yourself a big hug! Seriously. Now feed it something good so that the ENS will send feel good signals to the brain!
0 comments