/Video/How does your gut control your brain?

How does your gut control your brain?

Has hunger ever affected your mood? Our stomach and brain are connected both physically and biochemically in various ways, meaning the state of your gut can influence how your brain functions and behaves. This connection gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “food for thought.”

As a nutritionist, microbiologist, and neuroscientist, Ruairi Robertson is passionate about studying the relationship between the stomach and the brain. His research explores how the gut and its resident microorganisms affect both physical and mental health, and, most importantly, how our diet influences this relationship. Ruairi has traveled the world researching food and believes that it holds the key to global public health. He is currently a PhD candidate at University College Cork in Ireland and a Fulbright Scholar (2015/16) at Harvard University.

In his TED&Talks video as a speaker, he discussed the topic “How your gut controls your brain”, which has garnered nearly 6 million views and over 2,000 comments.

Summary of the video:

Humans typically experience positive emotions, such as happiness, euphoria, or joy, thanks to neurotransmitters produced by the brain. On the other hand, during stressful or depressive situations, the brain releases chemicals that induce anxiety and tension. The highs and lows of life’s emotions are governed by the brain — the vital organ that controls all our thoughts, feelings, and actions.

However, new findings in physiology reveal that we have a “second brain” — the gut microbiome. This system not only regulates numerous physical and psychological functions but may also hold the key to understanding modern epidemics such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and even mental health issues.

The story of the second brain

From birth, we are covered in bacteria from our mother’s birth canal. These bacteria form an “invisible organ” weighing about 1.4 kilograms in the large intestine — roughly equivalent to the weight of the brain. This microbiome accounts for 90% of the cells in the human body, making us essentially more bacterial than human.

The microbiome plays a crucial role in:

  • Digesting food.
  • Producing vitamins and hormones.
  • Regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
  • Modulating the immune system.

Notably, it produces up to 90% of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates emotions, while the brain only produces 10%. This means gut bacteria can significantly influence how we think, feel, and act.

Historical discovery by Ilya Mechnikov on the role of gut bacteria

Russian scientist Ilya Mechnikov, a Nobel Prize laureate in 1908, recognized the importance of gut bacteria in human health.

He discovered that maintaining a balance of gut bacteria could help prevent diseases. However, during that era, the gut was viewed as a source of toxins, and his ideas were forgotten as humans increasingly relied on antibiotics, cesarean births, and Western diets, which degraded the microbiome.

The role of the microbiome in modern times and Mechnikov’s lessons

Modern research has shown that the microbiome can:

  • Influence chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Regulate memory, stress behavior, and hormone levels.
  • Connect to mental health via the “gut-brain” axis through the vagus nerve and immune responses.

Modern diets and lifestyles can damage the microbiome, leading to various illnesses. Consuming fiber-rich and probiotic foods, along with avoiding unnecessary antibiotics, can help restore the microbiome.

Mechnikov found that people with longevity in Eastern Europe often drank fermented milk daily, which he believed contributed to their lifespan. He adopted this regimen himself and lived a healthy life in his later years.

Restoring the relationship between humans and bacteria is essential for improving overall health. The future of treating chronic diseases may depend on nurturing and maintaining the gut microbiome. Just as Mechnikov advocated for extending human life, we too can learn from his insights to live healthier lives.

Watch the full video HERE.

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