I find it very interesting that each on of us has something that calms us down, may be a cup of coffee or a cone of our favorite flavor of ice-cream. Ever thought of how all that  is related to our feelings? Someone will say that may be its because the food gets to the brain and we get rejuvenated. May be of more logic is that it’s ones mindset.
What if the stomach has its own way of determining our moods independent of the brain in the head. Mmmmh how about that? How can you explain that a minute ago you were boiling mad but a cup of yogurt seems to do the magic and calms you down. You know why, because there is a brain in your stomach. One that does not reason, write poetry or solve arithmetic but one that is in control.
How is that possible? There only exists one brain, in the head, which is the control center of our bodies. That is right and very correct but there is something else, in our gut, something bigger and even greater, the second brain.
The enteric nervous system (the second brain) is a mesh like system of neurons that governs the gastrointestinal tract that runs from the esophagus down to the anus. It is a division of the autonomic nervous system which is mainly responsible for controlling bodily functions that are not consciously directed such as breathing. It is made up of 10 million neurons, which is actually higher than the number of neurons present in the spinal cord and the brain in the head. 90% percent of these cells carry information to the brain other than from it and therefore can work independent of the central nervous system though the two are in constant communication. The primary function of the ENS is to control the digestion process in the gut. But why does this specific system require a “brain” of its own to control its functioning? Is it just to control the process of digestion? Or could it be it has another function?
There are numerous microbiota in the gut such as bacteria which need to be put under check. This is done by the ENS. The operations of the ENS are overseen by the central nervous system and the brain. The central nervous system is in communication with the gut via the autonomic nervous system which is tasked with the job of regulating how fast the food moves, the production of hydrochloric acid and the production of mucus on the intestinal lining.
A circuitry of hormones, neurons and neurotransmitters allows the brain to influence the environment in the gut and this dictates the types of bacteria that will thrive in the gut just like in an ecosystem. It is interesting to note that these bacteria can alter our behavior and influence our perception of the world. the influence of these microbiota is far much deeper than our guts, deeper than any of our imaginations, an aspect few would have predicted-our minds. However no need to worry because it is certainly not an intrinsic alien takeover.
For example the gut microbiota influence the secretion of a potent neurotransmitter seratonin which regulates feelings of happiness. And may be seratonin is just one of the many neurotransmitters whose secretion is influenced by these microbiota that determine mood.
That sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach after looking at your exam results with a fail mark on is an indication that you’re stressed and the gut can feel. The feeling of butterflies in your stomach when a decision is pending shows that you are anxious and your gut is feeling it too. So anything that will soothe your gut will most probably soothe its brain too. the next time you take yogurt or your favorite bar of chocolate and you feel the calmness and relief flood into you, make sure to remember and give a thumbs up to Mr. brain downstairs. A simple pat on the tummy will do, trust me.