The Second Brain!

There is an enormous amount of nervous tissue between your esophagus and rectum, about 100 million nerve cells' worth. to put that into perspective that is almost as many nerve cells as found in the spinal cord. This tissue is called the enteric nervous, known as the second brain.

Typically, we are extremely proud of our brains, yet it turns out that there is quite a bit of substance to the brain in our belly! Just like the larger brain in the head, researchers say, this system receives impulses, records experiences and responds to emotions. the gut can upset the brain just as the brain can upset the gut. The gut's brain is reported to play a major role in human happiness and misery. For example the second brain of the ENS is the reason we get butterflies in our stomach or have the need to use the restroom more frequently when we are nervous and/or under stress.

Unlike the big brain in your skull. the ENS can't balance your checkbook or compose a love note. Its main role is controlling digestion, from swallowing to the release of enzymes that break down food to the control of blood flow that helps with nutrient absorption to elimination.

The ENS may trigger big emotional shifts experienced by people coping with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional bowel problems such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, pain and stomach upset. Researchers are finding evidence that irritation in the gastrointestinal system may send signals to the central nervous system that trigger mood changes.

A big part of our emotions are no doubt influenced by the nerves in our gut. Butterflies in the stomach—signaling in the gut as part of our physiological stress response—is but one example. Although gastrointestinal (GI) agitation can rotten one's moods, everyday emotional well-being may rely on messages from the brain below (ENS) to the brain above. Another great example of this may be a term everyone is familiar with: HANGRY! Our bodies response to not eating on a regular schedule is to be angry and irritated with everyone until we replenish our gut.

This is one of the main reasons why it is so important to eat the right foods the aid in digestion and are healthy for your gut. When the belly is happy the brain is happy. Check out my next blog post for a list of the best and worst foods for digestion. I also have some gut friendly recipes in the recipe portion of my site that are easy and delicious and I'm sure you will enjoy!

For extra belly comfort check out my favorite probiotics for you or your little one!

Adult Probiotics: http://amzn.to/2Cyetub

Children's Protbiotics: http://amzn.to/2HvOkjq