We get asked all the time by our patients, what is this thing called the brain-gut connection? We get asked that constantly because we focus on the nervous system or the “brain” part of the connection. Our focus lies in addressing the impact of stress and trauma on the nervous system, which can push it into a state of constant alert known as sympathetic dysafferentation.
The brain stem, an unconscious part of the brain, controls the autonomic nervous system responsible for involuntary bodily functions. It contains an estimated 4 trillion nerve fibers and processes an astonishing 10 to 11 trillion bits of information per second. Fortunately, we remain unaware of this constant activity, as our attention is directed toward more immediate daily concerns.
The Brain-Gut Axis (the brain-gut connection) is an intimate and crucial relationship. The gut, often referred to as the enteric nervous system (ENS), houses hundreds of millions of nerve endings along the entire digestive tube. This intricate neural network promptly provides the brain with essential information regarding the gut’s internal status.
The gut plays a vital role in our overall health and well-being. As food travels through the esophagus, stomach, intestine, and colon, it undergoes chemical breakdown and absorption. Notably, the nutrients from the digested food are absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal wall. To ensure our safety, the ENS contains numerous nerves to alert the brain about any potential threats or issues related to ingested substances.
Harmonizing the brain and gut is crucial. Both systems must collaborate effectively, efficiently, and frequently. Our approach involves focusing on the nervous system through chiropractic care and collaborating with other medical professionals for gut-related aspects. Improving communication between these two systems and optimizing their functions can witness remarkable transformations in overall health and well-being.
So if you’re struggling with any of these things and you want to speak more to us about this, feel free. There’s a button somewhere, just click it and schedule a consultation. We never charge for those, and we’ll see if we can point you in the right direction. We’ll talk soon. Bye-bye.
Thrive on,
Dr. Kaci Madden