The digestive system - our second brain
Since I was little, my stomach has always been the first to react to situations: cramps on Memorial Day, diarrhea before a test, constipation on trips - it speaks and gives directions, and I, over the years, have learned how important it is to listen to it.In Chinese medicine, the digestive system is of great importance. It is considered the center of communication between the various organs and systems in the body, and its balance will be significant for our overall health. According to the theory of Chinese medicine, the spleen and the stomach are the two main organs associated with the digestive system and the element of earth, which is characterized by this system. These are actually the key players in the process of digesting food and transforming it into chi - the energy of life.What is the earth element anyway?
As part of the philosophy that underlies Chinese medicine, there is the theory of the elements. According to it, the element of earth symbolizes the cycles in nature and the ability to change. The earth is considered dense, fertile and allows for nourishment, growth and transformation. Balanced earth contributes to the basic sense of comfort with which we move around the world, its heaviness, which anchors us, is what actually allows us to move easily and freely on a physical and emotional level, the concept is actually staticity that creates dynamism - yin (matter) is needed to produce yang (movement).In Chinese medicine, the connection between our emotional/mental state and reactions in the digestive system is unequivocal – the theory of organs and elements has never separated these two. Therefore, treatment of the digestive system always also refers to the emotional state of the person. It is interesting to see how in recent years the research world of Western medicine has also begun to reveal this mutual connection and provide empirical evidence for it, here is a small taste of some of them-Hormonal connection:
The intestines are the organ with the largest concentration of nerves in the body after the brain, which is why they have been nicknamed the "little cerebellum" or "second brain." It is a system that sends and receives signals, and responds to experiences with high activity. Today we know that there is a close connection between our serotonin levels - a neurotransmitter that affects mood and behavior, and digestive disorders. For example, people with irritable bowel syndrome often have abnormal or irregular serotonin levels.
Neural connection:
Another communication between the digestive system and the brain occurs through the vagus nerve - a nerve that exits the brainstem, passes through the esophagus, diaphragm, and ends in the digestive system. Stimulation of this nerve will affect feelings of stress and anxiety on the one hand and may also cause symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, or loss of appetite.
Intestinal bacteria:
Bacteria and other microorganisms live in abundance in our body organs, with the largest population found in our intestines. Twenty years ago, the first evidence began to emerge that our gut bacteria had an impact on our brains and mental states, but this was met with much skepticism from the scientific community. Fortunately, in recent years there has been so much solid evidence in this area that even the most skeptical scientists have been convinced.From these examples, and even before we dive into each one, we can learn that there is a close connection between our physical and emotional bodies, and between the various body systems. If we want to be healthy and feel good, we must also take care of our mental state, and vice versa.