Most people when they need to get in front of an audience, take a critical test or have to confront an undesirable situation, experience "butterflies" in their stomach, or worse yet, diarrhea. It turns out that there is a definitive reason for that. There is a two-way highway buzzing about in our bodies, called the "Gut-Brain." Stimuli that affect the brain, also affects the gut, and vice versa. We have an amazing hidden brain, or "second brain" - our gut. Scientists have discovered that the digestive system (the esophagus, stomach, and both small and large intestines) have a nervous system all of their own. In fact, there are more neurons (100 million of them) in the gut brain than in the brain in our head!

There are also many of the same substances in our gut as in our brain that control function, and in particular, emotional health. The major "brain hormones," called neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, norepinephrine and nitric oxide, are also produced in the gut. About 2 dozen small brain proteins (called neuropeptides), previously known to be only in the brain, are also present in the gut. So when we use expressions like "I had a gut feeling..." or "that makes me sick" (while holding the stomach), referring to an emotionally triggered event, all points to the psychological involvement of the gut-brain. Dr Michael Gershon, a professor of anatomy and cell biology at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, says that "the brain in the gut plays a major role in human happiness and misery, but few people know it exists."

This two-way system means that the health of the gut will affect the health of the brain, and the health of the brain will affect the health of the gut. Drugs used for the brain have an effect on the gut, as well as the other way around. Command neurons and other neural components found in the brain and gut affect the immune system, sleep, muscle contractions, and of course, digestion.

How is this information helpful to us? Since studies show that more than 40 percent of office visits to doctors are for gastrointestinal disorders, understanding how emotions affect the gut and how poor gut health affects mental health, we can provide more specific direction. If for nothing else, when GI complaints don't show up pathologically on the traditional tests, and patients are told "it's all in their heads," blaming mental/emotional factors, we can instead, understand the connection.

If in fact, the gut contains the necessary chemicals for health beyond just digestive health, then supporting gut health together with brain health becomes "a no-brainer." So while psychotic thoughts can result in eating disorders, anxious thoughts contribute to diarrhea and nervous thoughts trigger "butterflies" in the stomach, quelling stomach disorders has the capacity to enhance how we cope with the stresses of life.

Learn more by attending our upcoming class, "The Gut: Your Second Brain," from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5 in Coeur d'Alene. Fee: $10. RSVP: (208) 765-1994.

Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with more than 32 years of experience. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d'Alene clinic. Visit Carling's website at www.vitalhealthandfitness.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.