Is the gut really our "second brain"?

You have surely felt butterflies in your stomach before a big event or had a ‘gut’ feeling about something. You might even say you need to ‘digest’ some big news. Our stomach is sometimes dubbed the ‘second brain’ and it's more than just a metaphor.  

The term gained traction in the West in 1999, thanks to Dr. Michael Gershon’s book “The Second Brain.” However, the concept isn’t new. Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient Indian healing system, has recognized the gut-brain connection for thousands of years. In Ayurveda, the digestive system and the mind are intertwined; a disturbance in one affects the other. This link is embodied in the concept of Agni, or ‘digestive fire,’ which pertains to both physical digestion and the processing of emotions and thoughts. Nourishing our Agni with the right foods can make us feel better, both physically and mentally.

Where did this idea originate? Is there scientific backing for this brain-gut connection? Can taking care of our gut improve our mental well-being? 

In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue.

First Broadcast: 25/4/24

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