How Your Nervous System Impacts Your Gut Health & Vice Versa
The nervous system plays a significant role in the regulation of bowel movements and digestion. The enteric nervous system, a network of neurons within the gastrointestinal tract, is responsible for coordinating the movements of the intestines and colon. That is why our digestive system is called our “second brain".”
How the Nervous System Interacts with the Digestive System
Let’s imagine your body as a team of superheroes working together to keep you healthy and strong. Two of these superheroes are the Nervous System and the Digestive System, and they are really good friends who like to cooperate!
The Nervous System is like a messaging system in your body. It has special messengers called neurons that send messages to different parts of your body. It helps you move, think, and feel by sending signals. It's like how your brain tells your hand to wave or your foot to kick a ball.
Now, the Digestive System is like a food processing factory. It takes the delicious food you eat and breaks it down into tiny pieces so your body can use the nutrients from the food to stay strong and healthy. It's like turning a big sandwich into tiny puzzle pieces so your body can use them.
Here's how these superheroes interact:
The first step happens when you see, smell, or think about food. Your Nervous System gets excited and sends signals to your stomach and mouth. It's like telling the Digestive System, "Hey, food is coming! Get ready!"
When you take a bite of your favorite food, your mouth chews it up, and the Nervous System sends more signals to your Digestive System. These signals say, "Food is coming down! Start working!"
The food then travels down to your stomach, and the Digestive System gets to work. The Nervous System keeps sending signals to tell the Digestive System how much acid and special juices to use to break down the food.
Next, the food goes to your intestines. The Digestive System keeps breaking down the food into even tinier pieces. These small pieces have all the good nutrients that your body needs.
The Nervous System continues to communicate with the Digestive System, making sure everything goes smoothly. It's like they are having a friendly conversation to make sure the food gets processed properly.
Finally, all the useful nutrients are absorbed into your body through the intestines, and the waste is sent out of your body as poop. The Nervous System and Digestive System high-five each other for doing a fantastic job!
So, that's how the Nervous System and Digestive System work together like superheroes to process your food and keep you healthy. They are an amazing team that keeps your body running smoothly and makes sure you have the energy to do all the things you love!
However, that is how a healthy, regulated nervous system and digestive system relationship works….
What happens when you have a dysregulated nervous system?
When someone has a dysregulated nervous system, it means that the communication between the nerves in their body is not working as smoothly as it should. This can happen for various reasons, such as stress, anxiety, or certain medical conditions. When the nervous system is not functioning properly, it can have an impact on the digestive system.
A dysregulated nervous system can manifest in various ways, and the signs can differ from person to person. It's important to note that these signs might be indicative of a dysregulated nervous system, but they can also be associated with other medical conditions or factors. If you or someone you know is experiencing these signs, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and diagnosis. Here are some common signs of a dysregulated nervous system:
Anxiety and Stress: Experiencing frequent or intense feelings of anxiety, stress, or being on edge, even in non-threatening situations.
Mood Swings: Frequent and rapid changes in mood, ranging from feeling elated to feeling down or irritable.
Sleep Disturbances: Having difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up frequently during the night.
Chronic Fatigue: Feeling tired or fatigued most of the time, even after getting adequate rest.
Digestive Issues: Digestive problems like stomach aches, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Headaches and Migraines: Frequent headaches or migraines that may be triggered or worsened by stress.
Sensitivity to Sensory Input: Overreacting or being extremely sensitive to sounds, lights, textures, or other sensory stimuli.
Difficulty Concentrating: Struggling to focus, pay attention, or remember things.
Emotional Overwhelm: Feeling overwhelmed or easily triggered by emotions.
Increased Heart Rate: Experiencing a rapid or irregular heartbeat, especially during times of stress.
Muscle Tension: Persistent muscle tension or muscle aches.
Panic Attacks: Sudden and intense feelings of fear or panic, often accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and sweating.
Social Withdrawal: Avoiding social situations or withdrawing from friends and family.
Hypervigilance: Feeling constantly on high alert or easily startled.
Changes in Appetite: Significant changes in appetite, either increased or decreased.
Feeling Disconnected: Feeling disconnected from oneself, others, or the surrounding environment.
Here's how a dysregulated nervous system can affect the digestive system function
Stomach Upset: The nervous system helps control the muscles in the stomach and intestines. When it's dysregulated, these muscles may not work together correctly, leading to issues like stomach aches, bloating, or even diarrhea.
Appetite Changes: The nervous system also plays a role in regulating hunger and fullness signals. If it's dysregulated, someone might experience changes in appetite, such as not feeling hungry when they should or feeling hungry even when they've eaten enough.
Heartburn and Acid Reflux: The nervous system can influence the production of stomach acid. When it's not balanced, it might lead to excess acid production, causing heartburn and acid reflux.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS is a digestive disorder that can be related to a dysregulated nervous system. It can cause abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, or a mix of both.
Slowed Digestion: In some cases, a dysregulated nervous system can slow down the movement of food through the digestive tract, leading to constipation and discomfort.
Nausea and Vomiting: The nervous system can trigger the feeling of nausea and the reflex of vomiting. When it's not working well, someone might experience these sensations more frequently or in response to certain triggers.
Gut-Brain Connection: The gut and the brain are closely connected through the nervous system. A dysregulated nervous system can impact this connection and may contribute to stress-induced digestive issues.
It's important to remember that everyone's body is different, and how a dysregulated nervous system affects the digestive system can vary from person to person. Additionally, the relationship between the nervous system and the digestive system is complex, and researchers are still learning more about it.
How to Start Creating Balance for the Nervous System and Improve Overall Health and Well-being:
Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity can help improve mood, reduce stress, and boost overall well-being. Exercise can also stimulate the production of endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that can help regulate the nervous system.
Practice stress management techniques: Chronic stress can have negative effects on the nervous system, including causing or worsening anxiety and depression. To manage stress, people can try techniques such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.
Get enough sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. It helps the body and brain repair and regenerate, which can help balance the nervous system.
Eat a balanced diet: Consume a variety of fruits, vegetables, fiber-rich foods along with healthy fats and quality proteins to nourish your gut microbiome and balance your nervous system functions. (However, I personally highly recommend doing an elimination diet to identify what triggers “flare-ups” for both your gut and your emotional stability/nervous system response! I recently did one and noticed that after cutting out certain foods, the small rosacea spot on my face went away and then when I reintroduce them, bam, it was back!)
Avoid drugs and alcohol: Substance abuse can have negative impacts on the nervous system, including increasing the risk of anxiety and depression. Avoiding drugs and alcohol can help improve overall nervous system health.
Remove what does not serve you: This could take many forms and is unique to each person. It could involve inflammatory foods, common allergens like soy, gluten, diary, eggs, corn, and peanuts, as well as stress-inducing media (songs, movies, social media). Lastly, certain people at different points of our healing journey can hinder our growth. Take a holistic view of your environment and determine what may need to be removed for a period of healing.
Seek medical treatment: If you are experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, or other mental health issues, it is important to seek treatment from a medical professional. This can include therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
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