The Mind-Gut Connection by Dr Emeran Mayer

Have you ever made a decision based off a gut feeling but never truly understood why you made that decision?  This is just one of the many examples that display the connection between our brain and gut. This connection is facilitated by the microbes in our gut and plays a role in our overall health.  Dr. Emeran Mayer delves into the science in his book “The Mind-Gut Connection: How the Hidden Conversation Within Our Bodies Impacts Our Mood, Our Choices and Our Overall Health”. 

Mayer highlights the importance of the enteric nervous system which is known as the ‘second brain’ of our body, controlling our gut.  It is amazing to learn about the power of our ‘second brain’ and the relationship it has with our mind. Mayer explores the bidirectional links between our diet or mental health issues such as stress and anxiety to our gut.  It was not only important to reveal these links, but to understand how they are formed and affect our daily lives. 

Understanding how gut feelings are generated can help us come to a consensus when making important decisions.  Gut feelings are a culmination of our thoughts and life experiences, often without logical reasoning for the conclusion.  Mayer also explains how a gut decision can occasionally be incorrect, as it could be triggered by a reflex memory of a negative experience.  

The key message I gathered from this book is to listen to your gut, and to learn how to listen to your gut.  We often ignore feelings in our gut, but listening to them can hold the answer to a better quality of life.  Mayer highlights the importance of a healthy mind-gut connection, leading towards optimal health.  His recommendations involve taking a holistic approach to our mind-gut connection. 

By further understanding how our body works, I feel I can take another step towards improving my optimal health.  After providing a scientific explanation on the mind-gut connection, Mayer lists some changes that we can make to improve our quality of life.  An interesting read for those willing to learn more about what makes us human. 

Are you interested in learning more by reading this book?