WHAT THE SECOND BRAIN IS, WHAT IT DOES,
AND WHAT THIS MEANS FOR IBS AND MIGRAINE SUFFERERS
AND WHAT THIS MEANS FOR IBS AND MIGRAINE SUFFERERS
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We are all familiar with the experience of having a “gut feeling” about something. Or the sensation of “butterflies in the stomach” when we are nervous. It turns out that these common phrases are more than just figures of speech. They are indicative of the profoundly complex--yet often overlooked--network of neurons located within the lining of our digestive system. This “enteric nervous system” is so extensive and intelligent, scientists have dubbed it the “second brain”. |
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND THE DISCOVERY OF THE GUT BRAIN
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While the “gut-brain connection” (the gut’s influence on the brain, and vice-versa) is a topic of study gaining steam in medical communities, the concept of the “gut brain” as an independent neurological entity is still largely ignored. Scientists have long-assumed that the process of digestion was merely a function of the peripheral nervous system (the system that responds to the instruction of the central nervous system). But new research, specifically that of Dr. Michael Gershon*, Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, has disproven this theory. Gershon's groundbreaking research revealed sheaths of neurons lining the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon, indicating that our digestive system actually houses an extensive and highly complex neurological center--i.e. a brain.
This neurological center actually has much more in common with the cranial (head) brain than with the peripheral nervous system. As such, it was dubbed the "gut brain", sometimes referred to as the "second brain" or "enteric nervous system". This complex network of neurons, viewed as a single entity and equipped with its own senses and reflexes, is capable of directing our digestive processes independently of direction from the head brain. The gut brain, in other words, is singularly responsible for directing the functions of digestion, absorption, assimilation, and elimination. When various digestive enzymes need to be added to food within our intestinal tract, for example, it is the enteric nervous system (not the head brain) that determines the proper timing and instructs the pancreas to release the appropriate enzymes. However, the gut brain is far too complex to have evolved solely for the purpose of managing digestion, and the more that is uncovered by the field of neurogastroenterology (the study of the gut brain), the clearer it becomes: The gut brain's influence on the body is enormous and far-reaching. It plays a central role in our mental/emotional balance, the strength of our immune system, the manifestation of many "chronic" health conditions (IBS, Migraine...even Parkinson's), and our overall well-being. |
Gershon's groundbreaking research revealed sheaths of neurons lining the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon, indicating that our digestive system actually houses an extensive and highly complex neurological center--i.e. a brain.
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THE STRUCTURE OF THE GUT BRAIN
The gut brain contains about 100 million neurons, more than are found in the spinal cord or the peripheral nervous system. It is this multitude of sensitive nerve cells that creates the sensation of “butterflies in the stomach,” a physiological stress response. The enteric nervous system (gut brain) also contains interneurons. Interneurons are specialized cells that allow for communication from one nerve cell to another. They do not exist within the nerve complexes of the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system uses interneurons to facilitate decision-making. The discovery of interneurons within the enteric nervous system supported the revelation that it is, indeed, a brain-like system with a complex circuitry that enables it to act independently, learn, remember and, as the saying goes, produce “gut feelings”.
Studies of embryonic development have revealed that the cells of the gut brain do not develop from the cells that comprise the rest of the digestive system; rather, they are close cousins of the embryonic tissue that forms the central nervous system. In the early stages of embryonic development, a clump of cells called the “neural crest” splits into two sections. One section forms the beginning of the central nervous system. The other section migrates down to form the enteric nervous system, the gut brain. Later, the two neurological centers are connected via the vagus nerve, the body’s primary visceral nerve. Scientists were shocked to learn that about 90 percent of the fibers in the vagus nerve carry information from the gut brain to the cranial brain and not the other way around.
Studies of embryonic development have revealed that the cells of the gut brain do not develop from the cells that comprise the rest of the digestive system; rather, they are close cousins of the embryonic tissue that forms the central nervous system. In the early stages of embryonic development, a clump of cells called the “neural crest” splits into two sections. One section forms the beginning of the central nervous system. The other section migrates down to form the enteric nervous system, the gut brain. Later, the two neurological centers are connected via the vagus nerve, the body’s primary visceral nerve. Scientists were shocked to learn that about 90 percent of the fibers in the vagus nerve carry information from the gut brain to the cranial brain and not the other way around.
THE GUT BRAIN / HEAD BRAIN RELATIONSHIP
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Science has established a clear neurological link between the brain in the gut and the brain in the head. One particular area of influence is mental and emotional balance. This does not mean that the gut brain plays a role in decision-making or conscious “thinking”. It is, however, a critical neurological player in the human body, and the health of the gut brain is inextricably linked to the health of the head brain. The gut can upset the brain just as the brain can upset the gut.
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A GROUNDBREAKING DISCOVERY
Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases are known to cause characteristic lesions in the brain tissue. Autopsies of these patients have revealed lesions in the gut brain tissue identical to those found in the head brain. This fascinating discovery indicated, for the first time, that a condition thought to be strictly neurological (like Parkinson’s) has pathology in the gut. This information opens up all kinds of possibilities regarding the source of neurological disease. Could it be, for example, that Parkinson’s and Alzheimers originate in the gut and then manifest symptoms in the brain? One thing we can know for sure is that in many cases, a problem in the brain equates to a problem in the gut. |
NEUROTRANSMITTERS:
THE "X" FACTOR The gut brain runs on neurotransmitters and neuropeptides (neurological proteins) just as the cranial brain does. More interestingly, the gut brain is largely responsible for manufacturing these chemical messengers. We now know, for example, that 95% of the body’s serotonin, one of our “feel good” neurotransmitters, is made locally in the gut. The gut brain is ripe with lots of other major neurotransmitters like dopamine, glutamate, norepinephrine, GABA, and nitric oxide, along with about two dozen different neuropeptides, and even endorphins. Because these chemical messengers play such an important role in neurological function as well as mood, gut health is becoming understood as ground zero for brain health and emotional well-being. |
THE STRESS RESPONSE
The more we learn about our two neurological centers and the circuitry between them, the more insight we have into the intricacies of the human stress response. Any stressful situation triggers the release of the “fight or flight” hormones adrenaline and norepenephrine. The gut brain’s response to these hormones produces that classic nervous queasiness we are all familiar with. Additionally, stress hormones signal the gut brain to shut off digestive function (which, under normal circumstances, utilizes up to 45% of the body’s energy) and funnel maximum energy toward the major muscle groups. This is part of the reason that stress and GI upset tend to go hand-in-hand and why, for example, IBS symptoms are exacerbated during periods of high stress. |
MEDICAL CONDITIONS: MIGRAINE, IBS & MORE
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The existence of neurotransmitters and other chemical messengers in the gut brain has far-reaching implications. The more we understand about the neurology of the gut, the more insight we get into the pathology of neurological and mental health conditions--depression, for example. Long-thought to be strictly a problem with the chemistry of the brain, the medical community is now recognizing the possibility that neurological disorders like migraine and mood disorders like depression actually originate in the gut. Indeed, if such a large proportion of our body's neurotransmitters comes from the gut, imagine the potential implications of digestive dysfunction on brain function. Healing a sick gut can, in many cases, relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. And, at ForeverWell, we have seen first-hand what it can do for those with migraine. This relationship works the other way, too: medications like Prozac, which block serotonin reuptake in the brain, often carry gastrointestinal side-effects like nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. It is this close relationship between the two brains, specifically where neurotransmitters are concerned, that forms the foundation of our theory regarding the root cause of IBS and Migraine: that they are not separate diseases at all, but rather different manifestations of the same central neurologastroenterological imbalance: a malnourished gut brain.
LEARN ABOUT GUT BRAIN THERAPY FOR MIGRAINE |
Gut Brain Therapy™
was formulated to stop the cycle of imbalance by delivering targeted, highly bioavailable nutrition directly to the gut wall. |
In the case of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the impact of gut brain health is even more obvious, since the symptoms of IBS are largely gastrointestinal. What's likely less obvious, however, is why this imbalance can be so difficult to correct: Due to the nature of how the second brain's cells are regenerated, a period of digestive dysfunction often starts a vicious cycle: A gut brain that is malnourished can't effectively manage the digestive process. (You experience this as gas, bloating, diarrhea, indigestion, etc.) The worse digestion gets, the less healthy the gut brain gets: as absorption and assimilation suffer, the gut brain can't receive the nutrition it needs to heal and regenerate healthy cells....thus, the cycle continues.
LEARN ABOUT GUT BRAIN THERAPY FOR IBS
The reach of gut brain research is not limited to a deepened understanding of migraine, digestive, and mood disorders. Neurogastroenterology is uncovering the missing gut/brain link in many conditions: food allergies, autoimmune disorders like Chron’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and even autism. The gut also houses about 70% of our immune system, making it instrumental in our ability to fight off illness. The emerging field of neurogastroenterology promises to continue to expand our understanding of the human body and how it works. What we can say for certain is that a healthy gut brain is essential to a healthy mind and body. Most natural healing traditions view optimal digestion as the seat of good health; modern research is now unveiling the scientific evidence behind that ancient wisdom.
LEARN ABOUT GUT BRAIN THERAPY FOR IBS
The reach of gut brain research is not limited to a deepened understanding of migraine, digestive, and mood disorders. Neurogastroenterology is uncovering the missing gut/brain link in many conditions: food allergies, autoimmune disorders like Chron’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and even autism. The gut also houses about 70% of our immune system, making it instrumental in our ability to fight off illness. The emerging field of neurogastroenterology promises to continue to expand our understanding of the human body and how it works. What we can say for certain is that a healthy gut brain is essential to a healthy mind and body. Most natural healing traditions view optimal digestion as the seat of good health; modern research is now unveiling the scientific evidence behind that ancient wisdom.
YOUR AMAZING SECOND BRAIN
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MIGRAINE AND IBS SUFFERERS? There are two neurological centers in the body, and they are inextricably linked. Based on the latest research, we believe that Migraine and IBS actually represent the same underlying neurological imbalance (poor protein metabolism) which is capable of presenting symptoms in two different "brains". Our approach to treating this imbalance is to address the common root cause by delivering targeted nutrition directly to the gut wall. |
Contains Neurons
The gut brain contains about 100 million neurons, more than in the spinal cord or the peripheral nervous system! It is this multitude of sensitive nerve cells that distinguishes the gut as a powerful neurological entity with capacities and responsibilities of an independent "brain". Directs Digestive Function The second brain operates the digestive process without the direction of the cranial brain. Develops from Brain Cells In embryonic development, the "neural crest" splits: part of it goes on to form the cranial (head) brain; the other part forms the gut brain. Is Fed "Locally" This is a big one. This means that the nutrients the gut brain needs for healthy cell regeneration are absorbed directly through the gut wall. Because of this, a kink in the digestive process can throw the gut brain out of balance and begin a vicious cycle of digestive dysfunction. On a practical level, this means that in order to heal a sick gut brain, we need to interrupt this cycle of dysfunction. We can do this by sending targeted, highly bioavailable nutrition directly to the cells of the gut wall. LEARN HOW GUT BRAIN THERAPY WORKS |
Makes and Uses Neurotransmitters
The gut brain runs on neurotransmitters and neuropeptides (neurological proteins) just as the cranial brain does. Moreover, the gut brain is largely responsible for manufacturing these chemical messengers. We now know, for example, that 95% of the body’s serotonin, one of our “feel good” neurotransmitters, is made locally in the gut. The gut brain is ripe with lots of other major neurotransmitters like dopamine, glutamate, norepinephrine, GABA, and nitric oxide, along with about two dozen different neuropeptides, and even endorphins. Responds and Makes Decisions Gershon found interneurons in the gut brain. Interneurons are specialized cells that allow for the communication from one nerve cell to another and facilitate decision-making. Influences Mental & Emotional Balance The gut brain is a critical neurological player in the human body, and the health of the gut brain is inextricably linked to the health of the head brain. The gut can upset the brain (migraines, depression, anxiety) just as the brain can upset the gut (nervous queasiness). |
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*Dr. Gershon and others working in the field of neurogastroenterology are a source of inspiration in our development of Gut Brain Therapy™ for IBS & Migraine. Please note, however, that these scientists do not have any direct affiliation with ForeverWell. Dr. Gershon is the author of the book The Second Brain, which provides a fascinating account of his research and discoveries.
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