The Brain In Your Gut

"I've got a gut feeling about this."

"I went with my gut reaction."

We have all said these phrases in one variation or another, and have experienced the sensations that they represent, but is there any grounding for this popular notion? Is there a biological understanding that can bridge the cleft of this ever present folkloric expression that we all know so well? Would an enhanced knowledge of such information aid us in further exploring and developing the skill of interpreting and following our "gut feelings"?

Enter: The Enteric Nervous System
aka: "The Brain In Your Gut"

This aspect of your nervous system runs the entire length of your digestive tract and consists of over 100 million neurons. A neuron mind you, is the same type of cell that composes the makeup of your brain tissue. The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) contains motor neurons which are responsible for receiving signals from the central nervous system, as well as sensory neurons, which are responsible for sending signals back to the central nervous system.

Thus, a two way communication portal is open in which the workings of your stomach and intestines can interact with the workings of your brain.

This being understood, wouldn't it make perfect sense that our gut feelings are an extremely important aspect of our overall emotional and mental landscape?

Perhaps this is an understatement. Our digestive system is far more expansive then our brain mass alone. Yet on a whole, we are conditioned to ignore our gut feelings, or at least analyze them to death. We rationalize our way out of our instincts, all too often leading to poor decisions.

So why all the confusion? Why don't we trust our gut's anymore?

Because our guts have way to much to think about!

Let's run through the work day of the average American's guts shall we?

Today Jim frequented his local fast food establishment before his big important meeting with his big important client. He had a burger, fries, and soft drink el popular. Before the 100 million neurons in his digestive system could help him make his important decisions, they first had to attempt to decode the following jabberwobble of ingredients:

Enriched flour (bleached wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, high fructose corn syrup, yeast, soybean oil, canola oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, sesame seed, salt, wheat gluten, calcium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, monocalcium phosphate, ammonium chloride, calcium carbonate, baking soda, soy flour, dough conditioners distilled monoglycerides, DATEM, ascorbic acid, azodicarbonamide, enzymes, ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides, sodium stearoyl lactylate, guar gum, mono-and diglycerides, calcium peroxide, calcium propionate & sodium propionate, soy lecithin, beef, hormones, antibiotics, parasites, pesticides, diced pickles, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, vinegar, corn syrup, salt, calcium chloride, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate (preservative), spice extractives, polysorbate 80], distilled vinegar, water, egg yolks, high fructose corn syrup, onion powder, mustard seed, salt, spices, propylene glycol alginate, sodium benzoate (preservative), mustard bran, sugar, garlic powder, vegetable protein (hydrolyzed corn, soy and wheat), caramel color, extractives of paprika, soy lecithin, turmeric (color), calcium disodium EDTA, pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, water, milkfat, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, salt, sorbic acid (preservative), acetic acid, artificial color, soy lecithin and/or corn starch, Potatoes, vegetable oil (partially hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor (wheat and milk derivatives)*, citric acid (preservative), dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate (maintain color), dimethylpolysiloxane (antifoaming agent)), salt. Prepared in vegetable oil ((may contain one of the following: Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, partially hydrogenated corn oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to preserve freshness), dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent), carbonated water, caramel coloring, high fructose corn syrup, potassium carbonate, artificial flavor.

Sooo.. is it a stomach or a scientist!? Needless to say, Jim performed poorly at the meeting and did not close the deal.

In times of yore, when the Human Being was an indistinguishable portion of the Earth's landscape, he/she relied on the signals from his/her gut above all other senses in interpreting the appropriate course of action. Our gut is literally the center of our being. To become more centered, we must pay attention to it. In order to pay better attention to it we must become more grounded. To become more grounded we must eat that which springs forth directly from the ground.

Superfood City looks forward to helping you facilitate the use of The Brain In Your Gut. Stay tuned to our daily updates, as there shall be no stone left unturned in examining how we can become more at one with our lifelong friend Mrs. Digestive System, and all of our other friends that are down there partying with her.

They request that we invite only the coolest guests.