"I want to know about the gut-brain axis in an easy-to-understand manner."
"What does it mean that the brain and intestines are connected?"
"I'm studying about the intestinal environment."
This time, I would like to convey the "gut-brain axis" to such people in an easy-to-understand manner.
I will explain why the gut-brain axis is important, so please read it to the end.
What is the Gut-brain axis?
What is the Gut-brain axis? The relationship that the brain and intestines are connected to each other and exchange information in both directions. It is.
In the intestines Intestinal nerve There are about 100 million nerve cells, which is the second largest in the human body after the brain.
This nerve called the intestinal nerve is connected to the central nerves such as the brain and spinal cord through the autonomic nerves that control the body.
Gut-brain axis causes stomachache due to tension
Have you ever had diarrhea due to a stomachache in a tense situation, such as before an important presentation or before an important meeting?
That is, Due to the cerebral-intestinal correlation is.
Diarrhea during tension Irritable bowel syndrome Abnormal bowel movements caused by stress or disturbance of autonomic nerves is.
The autonomic nerves that control the body include the "sympathetic nerves" that work during activity and the "parasympathetic nerves" that work during relaxation.
By trying to suppress the strong anxiety that you cannot fail, the parasympathetic nerves that normally work during relaxation are overworked and the intestinal motility becomes active.
You can see it in 1 minute! What is the autonomic nerve? Explains sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic nerves
Although this parasympathetic nerve is an autonomic nerve, it is also a cranial nerve that exits the brain in another way.
Therefore, the parasympathetic nerve feels the stress felt by the brain and disturbs the activity of the intestine.
On the contrary Constipation on the road is also due to the gut-brain axis is.
When the brain feels stress in the unfamiliar environment of the destination, the sympathetic nerves work too much and the activity of the intestines decreases.
in short Brain stress is transmitted directly to the intestines, causing constipation and diarrhea. It is.
Three reasons why cerebral intestinal correlation is important
Next, I would like to explain three reasons why cerebral intestinal correlation is important.
In the previous chapter, we talked about the effects from the brain to the intestines, but here we will also talk about the effects from the intestines to the brain.
- Because the stress felt by the brain causes intestinal upset such as constipation and diarrhea.
- 90% of serotonin that makes the brain happy is made in the intestines
- Because it leads to improvement of depression and dementia
① Because the stress felt by the brain causes intestinal upset such as constipation and diarrhea.
One of the reasons why the gut-brain axis is important is Because the stress felt by the brain causes intestinal upset such as constipation and diarrhea. is.
If it's a phenomenon that makes you feel sick before an important presentation or meeting, as in the previous example, it's temporary and may not be a big problem.
However, abnormal bowel movements due to the accumulation of daily stress Irritable bowel syndrome It leads to the illness.
Irritable bowel syndrome Is a disease in which the large intestine has no tumor, inflammation, or other illness that causes symptoms, but the stomach is always bloated, painful, constipation, diarrhea, or other illness that lasts for more than a few months. That is.
In addition, especially when constipation continues, bad bacteria in the intestines multiply, leading to a decrease in immunity and the induction of lifestyle-related diseases.
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Explain the cause and improvement method!
② The brain feels happy 90% of serotonin is made in the intestines
The second reason why cerebral intestinal correlation is important is 90% of serotonin that makes the brain happy is made in the intestines is.
Because it is related to happiness "Serotonin" called happiness hormone The secretion is from the brain.
However 90% of serotonin is made in the mucous membrane in the small intestine, the intestine It is.
Serotonin is said to have the effect of activating intestinal activity, balancing the autonomic nerves, and making the mind positive.
It is also known as a hormone that suppresses the runaway of excitatory substances noradrenaline and dopamine, improves awakening, and motivates people.
With a well-organized intestinal environment and a strong secretion of serotonin, you can maintain a stable mental state without causing irritation.
note that Excessive secretion of serotonin can overactivate intestinal activity and lead to diarrhea. So be careful.
③ Because it may lead to improvement of depression and dementia
The third reason why cerebral intestinal correlation is important is Because it may improve depression and dementia is.
It is known that when a protein called synuclein is formed in the large intestine and it is excessively generated, it accumulates in the brain and causes dementia.
also Joint research by National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry and Yakult Co., Ltd. Then, High risk of depression when there are few good bacteria in the intestines It became clear.
In addition, there is data that patients with depression, autism, Parkinson's disease, etc. have more constipation.
The mechanism of the relationship between mental illness and the intestines has not been completely elucidated yet, but it is certain that they are connected, and more research will be conducted in the future.
in conclusion
How was that?
This time Gut-brain axis that the brain and intestines are connected to each other and exchange information in both directions. I told you about.
Gut-brain axis causes stomachache due to tension It was.
Please also remember the last three reasons why cerebral-intestinal correlation is important.
- Because the stress felt by the brain causes intestinal upset such as constipation and diarrhea.
- 90% of serotonin that makes the brain happy is made in the intestines
- Because it leads to improvement of depression and dementia
I know that the brain and intestines are connected, but the brain and intestines are still research fields in the future.
Please keep an eye on it and aim for a daily life where you can be physically and mentally healthy from the intestines.