It’s hard to separate gut health from mental health, and children with autism often have digestive problems!

Today, let's talk about the second brain of our human body. Let's first guess who it is and where it is hidden? It is definitely not in the head, but in the stomach, to be more precise, in the intestines.

Our enteric nervous system has hundreds of millions of neurons, a huge number that even exceeds the brains of some animals, and is the second most populous area in the human body. It is a complex and sophisticated neural network, like a hidden control subcenter in the body, directing various activities such as intestinal peristalsis, secretion, digestion and absorption.

The enteric nervous system can function independently of the brain .

Don't underestimate this point, it is very important in the evolutionary process. It can work autonomously without relying on the direct control of the central nervous system, which greatly improves the efficiency of digestion. Similarly, heartbeat and breathing do not require conscious control. When we talk, they are not idle either. After all, life activities cannot be delayed at all.

However, the intestines and the brain are not two completely independent systems. They are closely connected and interact with each other through the "gut-brain axis". There are many pathways in the gut-brain axis that can achieve communication between the intestines and the brain, including the nervous system, immune system, endocrine system, etc. The vagus nerve is one of these pathways, just like the laid telephone line that facilitates the two of them to chat. Let's listen to what they talked about.

The vagus nerve is a nerve channel that extends from the brain to the internal organs. It is an important bridge for transmitting information and regulating functions. When there is a problem with the intestines, such as indigestion or stomach pain, these feelings will be transmitted to the brain through the vagus nerve. If the brain listens to it, it will cause emotional reactions, such as stress and anxiety. Similarly, when you are nervous or anxious , you may also feel stomach discomfort or indigestion . This is not just a problem with the digestive system, but your brain is telling your intestines some gossip through the vagus nerve.

The flora in the intestine also plays a role in this communication process. For example, these microorganisms can produce a variety of chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine, which we are more familiar with. These will affect our emotions and behaviors. This two-way communication between the gut and the brain has a complex and subtle connection, so it is difficult to separate intestinal health and mental health . It is precisely because of this connection between the gut and the brain that when the enteric nervous system is disordered, it may not only affect the health of the digestive system.

For example, some people find that their headaches are always closely related to indigestion .

Maybe you ate too fast or ate cold food today, and your stomach is uncomfortable. Then you find that every time you feel uncomfortable, you take some stomach-strengthening and digestion-promoting tablets, burp a few times or fart a few times, and the indigestion is relieved and your headache is gone. In fact, this is most likely caused by intestinal nerve disorder. But if you want to say whether this is a headache caused by indigestion or indigestion caused by work and life pressure, it is really hard to determine whose fault it is.

Studies have found that enteric nervous system disorders may be related to a variety of digestive system diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. It may also be associated with a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease. In some cases, intestinal nervous system lesions may even occur earlier than brain lesions. This may be a new idea, through changes in the enteric nervous system, to diagnose and treat as early as possible. Similarly, in the field of autism, studies have shown that autistic children often have digestive problems , such as constipation and diarrhea. This may be related to the dysfunction of the enteric nervous system.

After all this, you must understand the importance of the enteric nervous system. But maintaining a healthy intestine is not just about protecting one part of the digestive system. A balanced diet, adequate drinking water, moderate exercise, and effective stress management are all the basis for maintaining a healthy intestine.