One of the most fascinating subjects for me personally is the gut-mind connection. It of course has a personally connection to it. I have had gut and mind issues. I know many people have had episodes of it but mine have been chronic (though healing as I write this).
Reading The Mind-Gut Connection by Emeran Mayer was an eye opener. It focuses on gut microbiome, trillions of bacteria living in our gut. These living organisms weigh 1.5 kg and their functions have never been so much in spotlight. What if I told you that these microorganisms are responsible for making critical neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine? More so, even cases of Type 2 Diabetes have been linked to dysbiosis (opposite of symbiosis; imbalance of gut microbiome).
Hippocrates said millennia ago “All disease begins in the gut”. Perhaps, he did not know about microbiome back then (or he did) but he was not too far away from the truth.
Mayer further elucidates on the connection between brain and gut ie how brain affects the gut. Stress triggers (fear, sadness, anxiety, etc) also affect the microbiome and disturb the environment for its proper growth and prosperity. Vice versa, microbiome imbalance would make you irritable, develop brain fog, fatigue, and other conditions on daily basis.
Mayer also links dysbiosis to childhood trauma. Much has been written about the subject. Childhood trauma has a profound effect on the brain and microbiome. A trauma could be abuse, an incident with everlasting impression or parental abuse (emotional and physical). With a childhood trauma, our brain fails to develop normally and microbiome diversity is also affected.
Next comes nutrition. Well, let’s face it. Microbiome feeds on plant based foods and are imbalanced due to animal fat, processed foods, sugar, etc. Simple science is to eat diverse vegetables for optimal function of our gut.
For stress, practice relaxation exercises like Pranayama, and also shun away from negative thoughts.
To ascertain your microbiome and its impact on brain, I would recommend (or consult a qualified nutritionist) a gut microbiome test. I recently got done and noticed non ideal range in my SCFAs (but more on that later). I know now that fixing my microbiome would lead to better mind-gut health. I am of course supplementing it with fermented food and live bacteria, and prebiotics.
So, fix your gut and fix your brain. Happy Gut to you!
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