Is our brain completely taking over our body? Is he alone responsible for controlling our health, our daily functions and our interpersonal relationships?
Pay attention to what your body says
In fact, the connection between mind and body in the female universe is considerably different from the pattern that occurs in the male universe. There are structural and also functional differences that end up putting us, women, in a position of greater risk when it comes to developing anxiety, depression and insomnia. Exactly because of all this, it is imperative that we start by paying more attention to our bodies and everything they want to communicate to us.
As the final production center for all of our body's efforts, the brain is closely correlated with our entire organism. It is precisely this interconnection that is important to better understand, so that this connection is as healthy as possible, guided by total synchronicity.
The healing conversation
Metaphorically speaking, our intestine has a kind of “healing conversation” with our brain, while our heart tries to control the latter in situations of high stress levels. And if the brain and body connection can be described as healthy, we will not feel as intensely the tension that comes from the environmental toxins of modern life.
In this situation, there is an urgent need for a deeply in-depth conversation between body and mind. Therefore, we must look objectively at the way our intestine communicates with our brain.
There are several studies that demonstrate the relevance of the relationship established between the intestine and human health, highlighting the existence of many factors responsible for playing an elementary role in the formation of a healthy intestinal microbiota. If we eat poorly nutritious food, the microbiota is altered and our entire body will feel this impact. According to some experts, these repercussions extend, interestingly, to our mental health.
The second brain
Considered by many to be our “second brain”, the intestine is an important area of exchange between the human body and the external environment that surrounds it. If “we are what we eat”, we are also what we absorb, because the intestine will not remain healthy if the food we eat is not healthy either. And if these reasons are not enough for you to understand the real importance of the organ we are talking about, be surprised: it is in the intestine that the production of a large part of serotonin occurs, a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating sleep, mood and sensory pathways. of the organism.
Can gut bacteria influence mood?
Yes, according to the American magazine Psychology Today , intestinal bacteria are related to our thoughts and various mental health states. It has been proven that there is communication between the intestine and the brain.
Good intestinal bacteria – or the absence of some less good ones – can make us more resistant to depressive states after certain traumas. But not everyone who faces stress develops a mood disorder, and not everyone who experiences trauma develops depression.
What can we do?
To maintain or restore the health of these bacteria and have good health in general, it is important to maintain a strong balance in the digestive tract. The first step is to follow a well-structured diet that includes foods with probiotic ingredients (vegetables, greens, yogurt, etc.) that support microbial health.
Gut health and anxiety
Given the closeness with which the intestine and brain interact, it becomes easier to understand why it is common for us to feel nauseated before giving a presentation or feel intestinal pain during periods of great mental agitation. This does not mean, however, that functional gastrointestinal conditions are something “of our imagination”. According to Psychology Today , psychological factors can effectively affect the movements and contractions of the gastrointestinal tract. There is much research that has found that psychological approaches lead to considerable improvement in digestive symptoms compared to conventional medical treatment alone.
It is therefore clear that there is a relationship between the brain and the intestine; mind and body. The organism functions as a whole. And we only gain if we look at it this way.
