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How Mindfulness/ Meditation Heals Your Gut Better Than Probiotics | by the_NeuroTransmitter | Aug, 2024

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Why You Have Two Brains

The powerful connection between emotions and the stomach is something we’ve all heard about:

“Trust your gut… I’m so nervous, I have butterflies in my stomach… I have a gut feeling about this… That experience was gut-wrenching.”

This connection is not just a saying — it’s now being backed by fascinating scientific discoveries. With over 100 million nerves lining what’s often referred to as your “second brain,” the gut — also known as the enteric nervous system (ENS) — is made up of the same tissues as your central nervous system (CNS).

Why the “Gut-Brain Axis” Is Essential to Health

Many doctors now believe that the deeply connected relationship between your “first” brain in your head and your “second” brain in your gut — referred to as the gut-brain axis — should be seen as one unified system rather than two separate entities.

While your gut may not solve math problems, write novels, or pass exams, it does something just as remarkable: it manages a symphony of neurotransmitters, hormones, and electrical impulses.

Beyond just digesting food, your gut’s brain-like neural network plays a critical role in maintaining your health, regulating inflammation, and directing your immune system.

But does simply eating the right foods keep the gut-brain axis in balance? Not quite. Let’s explore why your mental state is crucial for gut health, and why meditation is the missing link that goes beyond diet alone.

“Imaginary” Disease: Why the Mind Is Key to a Healthy Gut

Consider this: Have you ever heard of someone suffering from a “mysterious, incurable” chronic disease? After visiting countless doctors, the diagnosis often boils down to: “It’s all in your head!” This scenario is more common than you might think.

Gastroenterologists have identified over 20 such “all in your head” gastrointestinal (GI) tract diseases, which make up a significant portion of clinical visits.

So, what’s the cause of these baffling conditions? Diet? Not necessarily. Many of these patients have already tried every dietary adjustment imaginable, which is why their condition is often labeled as “psychosomatic.”

Why Your Ability to Handle Stress Controls the Gut-Brain Axis

The real culprit behind these persistent issues is stress — a notorious offender that ranks high on the health police’s most wanted list.

Even after adopting a healthy diet, stress can explain why many gut-related “second brain” diseases persist.

Research strengthens this link by showing that psychological trauma can lead to digestive issues, inflammation, ulcers, IBS, IBD, Crohn’s disease, and more.

Given these insights, it’s clear that healing the gut is impossible without addressing our ability to manage emotions and stress. How you think truly affects your health.

How Meditation Heals the Gut Without Probiotics

When it comes to conquering stress, meditation stands out as the top contender in the battle for gut health. The other players in this ring? Probiotics, psychobiotics, and diet.

(Note: Although this boxing metaphor is fun, in reality, all of these strategies have their rightful place in achieving optimal health.)

Let’s look at one study that highlights meditation’s power:

How Mindfulness Heals the Gut-Brain Axis Without Probiotics

In a study involving 48 patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a 9-week program at Massachusetts General Hospital produced groundbreaking results.

Meditation somehow managed to beneficially alter more than 1,000 genes, including suppressing the harmful protein complex (NF-kB) known for triggering inflammation in the immune system and GI tract.

Co-senior study author, Dr. Towia Libermann, noted: “In both IBS and IBD, the pathway controlled by a protein called NF-kB emerged as one of those most significantly affected by the relaxation response.”

With these monumental findings, meditation appears to deactivate the genetic trigger linked to numerous gut and non-gut related diseases (including anxiety, depression, MS, Autism, Parkinson’s, and more), while disrupting the body’s chronic stress response cycle.

To put it simply, if a group of mischievous bears were wreaking havoc on your microbiome, meditation would be the hero that sends them back into hibernation for good.

The Takeaway

How Mindfulness Heals Your Gut

Your gut plays a crucial role in your overall health. While diet is important, it doesn’t guarantee a healthy microbiome. As the gut-brain axis demonstrates, your ability to manage stress may be even more critical than your diet, alongside genetic factors.

Fortunately, meditation not only tackles stress with the precision of Michael Jordan in the ‘92-’93 NBA Finals, but it also orchestrates a masterpiece of your body’s best genes.



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