The impact of your digestive system goes far beyond your stomach, intestines and all the stuff below. The microbiome of your gut is comprised of billions of microorganisms that function in a similar way to the brain. Seriously – it’s even got its own nervous system (ENS).
It’s not this simple – but think of every microorganism in your gut as a mirror of every neuron in your brain. Some of the ways your gut health influences cognition and mental health include:
The microbiome is constantly sending signals via the vagus nerve, producing neurotransmitters similar to those in the brain, and even impacting brain development and function
Conditions traditionally associated with the mind, like low mood and even cognitive decline have been linked to imbalances in the gut microbiome. Conversely, improving gut health through diet, prebiotics, or probiotics can positively impact mood and mental well-being.
The phrase "gut feeling" reflects the subtle influence the gut can have on our decision-making. Research suggests the ENS may contribute to intuition and emotional responses, playing a role in how we make choices beyond just conscious reasoning.
While connected to the central nervous system, the ENS has some degree of autonomy, regulating digestion, gut motility, and even some immune responses.
We can also consider diet adjustment in neurological disorders as evidence of the gut affecting brain and metabolic function. For instance, the medical keto diet is often used for treatment-resistant movement disorders.