The gut and the brain might be on entirely separate poles of the body, but there is a surprising connection between them. The gut is a person's gastrointestinal system from the stomach to the large intestines, and the brain has a remarkable effect on the system. It's called the "gut-brain connection."
What Is The Gut-Brain Connection?
Every emotion from anxiety to anger can trigger reactions in the gut. Whenever someone is experiencing intense emotions, they can feel it in the gut. Even thinking about eating starts the digestive process, as the gastrointestinal system begins to release the juices that help process and break down food.
The gut-brain connection goes both ways too. Distress in the gastrointestinal system can cause issues in the brain, from anxiety to depression. There are trillions of microbes in the gut that produce chemicals sent to the brain that can affect the brain's functions. One way these microbes affect the brain is helping it regulate the immune system. When the immune system isn't appropriately regulated, it can lead to brain issues from depression to dementia. However, the stomach is not linked to the brain through a feeding tube. So, how exactly are the gut and brain connected?
How Are The Gut And Brain Connected?
There is a nerve connecting the gut and the brain: the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve sends messages back and forth between the gut and brain. The vagus nerve is also connected to other vital organs such as the lungs or heart.
Unfortunately, the vagus nerve can be tainted by the gut's microbiome. If the gut's microbiome is unbalanced with viruses or harmful bacteria, it can severely affect the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve sends connections between the gut and brain relatively quickly. That's what causes immediate feelings in the gut during feelings of intense happiness, anxiety, shock, or sadness. While we know mental issues such as anxiety are related to the gut-brain connection, can it cause digestive problems?
Can The Gut-Brain Connection Affect Digestion?
Yes, issues with the brain can send signals down into the gut that can cause diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and general discomfort. Any negative emotions can affect irritable bowel syndrome. Everything from sadness to anger sends signals down into the gastrointestinal system. These signals overload digestive signals that caused issues like bloating or pain that can worsen existing conditions from irritable bowel syndrome to gastroesophageal reflux disease.
What's worse is irritation in the digestive tract caused by the brain is sent back into the brain, which leads to a neverending cycle of negative health issues between the brain and gut. While it's suggested to avoid certain trigger foods to help break an unhealthy gut-brain connection, one of the best treatments is craniosacral therapy.
How Can Craniosacral Therapy Help Digestion?
Craniosacral therapy can help calm a person’s nerves and help activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. Taking care of the brain’s side of the gut-brain connection can help end the negative cycle between the two. Craniosacral therapy can help treat anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders that can affect digestive function.
That's because the vagus nerve is part affects both the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. It's essential to maintain a balance between the two, and that's what craniosacral therapy does. This form of therapy helps the body heal itself naturally through comforting non-invasive touch while clearing blockages in the nervous system. Releasing tension in the body also helps improved digestive issues as well. This healing process will remove any negativity in the vagus nerve that helps the body find balance again.