How Does Our “second Brain” In The Digestive System Influence Us Emotionally?
If we look at what popular wisdom tells us about this topic, we can see that the Spanish proverb already has many references that relate between the digestive system and emotions. Some examples could be sayings like: “my guts are churning”, “grit my heart out”, “I have butterflies in my stomach”, etc.
It is likely that, on more than one occasion, you have felt “a knot in your stomach.” Throughout this article, We will see what the “second brain” is, how it influences emotions and how it is related to the brain. Furthermore, to finish, we will see some strategies to keep these relationships as regulated and balanced as possible.
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a part of the autonomic nervous system that is broadly responsible for aspects such as the movement of particles from the mouth to the rectum, the vascularization of the areas involved and the secretions of the digestive system. In addition, it is also responsible for transmitting hunger and satiety signals.
This system is made up of a complex neuronal network, it is believed to be made up of about 100 million neurons, ranging from the esophagus to the rectum. It is in constant communication with the brain and performs functions of utmost importance for people’s lives.
The study of the SNE has become popular in the last decade and it has been seen that it has a structure similar to that of the central nervous system (CNS), which is why it is called the “second brain.” Among these, the following stand out: the neural network, autonomous functions, constant communications with the brain, the impact on health and emotions.
As we said, The central nervous system is in constant communication with the digestive tract and vice versa. This is what is known as the gut-brain axis. This connection occurs through the sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways of the autonomic nervous system.
About 90% of serotonin is produced in the “second brain.” This neurotransmitter has become popular since it is related to well-being and the regulation of mood and behavior. At the brain level, it is involved in many other processes, in the same way that it is also relevant in digestive processes.
In recent years, a third elemental agent in all these processes has begun to emerge: the intestinal microbiota. This concept refers to the microorganisms that inhabit the digestive tract and that play a great role in the constant dialogue between the brain and the digestive system.
Influence of the digestive system on emotions
It is possible that you have experienced, at some point, the relationship between emotions and the digestive system in your own body. That is, perhaps, at some point, you have suffered from stomach pains, spasms, or even diarrhea when you were going through a moment of high stress, anguish, or worry.
Taking into account the intimate connection between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the ENS, it is currently argued that this second brain is closely related to basic and primitive emotions related to survival. These include: fear, the perception of danger, the feeling of security, sexual desire and hunger.
Thus, it will affect both emotional processing and decision making. The visceral reactions that occur in certain situations send invaluable information to the ANS and help it calibrate and act in search of survival.
The enteric nervous system is directly related to the regulation of emotions and stress. When persistent alterations occur in the functioning of the ENS, health problems such as the well-known, and increasingly common, irritable bowel syndrome can occur.
In addition, the latest studies indicate that intestinal bacteria have a clear association with behavior. It is also becoming increasingly clear that the presence of persistent digestive problems often leads to anxiety and depression.
Strategies to improve digestive and emotional health
It is essential to know the connection between the systems involved. Let us remember that we are not only talking about the central nervous system (brain), but the autonomic system also intervenes, in the relationship with the enteric system. Of course, another elemental agent in the interaction of the brain-gut axis is, as we mentioned, the microbiota.
Precisely due to the high impact of the microbiota in this entire process, it is essential that one of the main strategies for improving digestive and emotional health is taking care of your diet. It is essential to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed products and those with high levels of sugars and refined flours as much as possible.
The society in which we currently live pushes us to hurry and immediacy, a fact that contributes to inflammatory processes that, in turn, are worsened by a sedentary lifestyle, low water consumption and unbalanced diets.
In summary, we could say that the fundamental pillars to take into account are diet and physical activity. However, We cannot rule out other aspects such as adequate rest and even the incorporation of practices that help us connect with the present moment such as full attention or mindfulness.
