Pain translating to what we "think" in our gut.
In his book "The Second Brain," Michael Gershon talks about how the gut works automatically without our brains telling it what to do next, like it has its own neuron function that works in tandem with the actual brain. What our "gut neurons" are saying can tell us a lot about what we need. In reading what I imagine to be a discussion between my gut neurons, what do you think my second brain is trying to communicate to me?
Neuron 1: She's eating again, at the usual fast pace.
Neuron 2: Sounding the red alert, what's the content?
Neuron 1: Incoming particles contain red meat cells, swiss cheese, mushrooms, mayo, and some lettuce.
Neuron 2: Thrice blast it she's eating a mushroom swiss burger! Calling all troops--stomach acid, enzymes, bile, insulin--we need every available digestive aide!
Neuron 3: Sir, due to high stress levels this week we are low on stomach acid, and these particles were not chewed long enough in saliva enzymes. We are going to have to send some of this in the duodenum undigested.
Neuron 1: That will wreak havoc on the microbiome balance, where are the pancreatic enzymes?
Neuron 3: Already depleted the supply, the meal is too high in fat content for the capacity of our pancreas.
Neuron 1: Haven't we signaled to her to stop eating red meat and dairy?
Neuron 2: Sir, we have but the higher brain over rides our signals saying due to erratic and unstable insulin production we need protein to keep blood sugar levels stable. Also upstairs brain needs fat for optimal production.
Neuron 1: She's in constant pain, we need to lower stress levels in the environment in order to contend with our biological issues.
Neuron 2: Upstairs brain seems to override our signals to rest and relax more, apparently there is a steady flow of clients, troubled teenagagers, a friend moving, company in town, and her grandma to take care of.
Neuron 1: Signal extra blood flow to the brain to cause a migraine, we need to shut the system down. I'm going to be swamped with bacterial complaints tonight.
Neuron 2: copy that, setting things in action to cause migraine.
Neuron 3: 10-4, signalling fatigue.
From this imaginary gut brain conversation I hear my body signal to me that I need three things: to eat more slowly, limit the content of my fat intake but not eliminate it, and take more time to rest. Listen to your gut neurons, what are they saying you need for a wise food mind?
Neuron 1: She's eating again, at the usual fast pace.
Neuron 2: Sounding the red alert, what's the content?
Neuron 1: Incoming particles contain red meat cells, swiss cheese, mushrooms, mayo, and some lettuce.
Neuron 2: Thrice blast it she's eating a mushroom swiss burger! Calling all troops--stomach acid, enzymes, bile, insulin--we need every available digestive aide!
Neuron 3: Sir, due to high stress levels this week we are low on stomach acid, and these particles were not chewed long enough in saliva enzymes. We are going to have to send some of this in the duodenum undigested.
Neuron 1: That will wreak havoc on the microbiome balance, where are the pancreatic enzymes?
Neuron 3: Already depleted the supply, the meal is too high in fat content for the capacity of our pancreas.
Neuron 1: Haven't we signaled to her to stop eating red meat and dairy?
Neuron 2: Sir, we have but the higher brain over rides our signals saying due to erratic and unstable insulin production we need protein to keep blood sugar levels stable. Also upstairs brain needs fat for optimal production.
Neuron 1: She's in constant pain, we need to lower stress levels in the environment in order to contend with our biological issues.
Neuron 2: Upstairs brain seems to override our signals to rest and relax more, apparently there is a steady flow of clients, troubled teenagagers, a friend moving, company in town, and her grandma to take care of.
Neuron 1: Signal extra blood flow to the brain to cause a migraine, we need to shut the system down. I'm going to be swamped with bacterial complaints tonight.
Neuron 2: copy that, setting things in action to cause migraine.
Neuron 3: 10-4, signalling fatigue.
From this imaginary gut brain conversation I hear my body signal to me that I need three things: to eat more slowly, limit the content of my fat intake but not eliminate it, and take more time to rest. Listen to your gut neurons, what are they saying you need for a wise food mind?
