Longevity by Design

The Gut–Brain Axis: A New Frontier in Longevity with Dr. Emeran Mayer

Dec 3, 2025
Guest
Emeran Mayer
Join Dr. Emeran Mayer, a pioneer in gut-brain research and founder of Mayer Interconnected, as he uncovers the intricate links between our gut and brain health. He discusses how modern diets and ultra-processed foods disrupt our microbiome, impacting emotions and overall health. Mayer emphasizes the long-term effects of early antibiotic use and advocates for plant-forward diets and lifestyle changes for better gut health. He also hints at exciting future therapies, including engineered probiotics, to enhance gut-brain connections.
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INSIGHT

IBS Is A Brain–Gut Interaction Disorder

  • Irritable bowel syndrome is best understood as a disorder of altered brain–gut interactions rather than a primary gut disease.
  • Emeran Mayer shows that brain networks regulate gut sensitivity and symptoms without obvious gut pathology.
INSIGHT

Emotions Shape Gut Physiology

  • Emotions produce distinct autonomic patterns that change gut motility and sensations via the autonomic nervous system.
  • The brain normally filters most gut signals, but in hypersensitive people attention amplifies gut sensations.
ADVICE

Use Breathing To Reduce Gut Sensitivity

  • Use relaxation techniques like deep abdominal breathing to rapidly reduce gut sensitivity.
  • Practice mindfulness or attention-shifting to downregulate visceral hypersensitivity in IBS.
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