The Mindful Gut

Your gut is super important. It is where roughly 90 percent of the body’s serotonin is made. The neurotransmitter responsible for that blissed out feeling. Specifically enterochromaffin cells (EC) produce serotonin and is concentrated in the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) also sometimes known as the second gut. Your gut microbiome plays a role in this process by producing TPH1, which signals for EC cells to generate serotonin. 

Negative emotions while eating can physically cause the gut to act in a different way including: 

1. Creating a leakier gut - Evidence is showing that stress can cause inflammation in the gut and when this happens the gut membrane becomes leakier. One of the causes of this include changes in gut microbiome leading to loosened tight junctions. 

2. Inducing stress hormones such as norepinephrine- an imbalance of molecules such as  epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine can lead to “nutrient absorption, blood flow, gut microbiome, local immune system, and overall gut motility.” 

3. Reducing important gut bacteria such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria - the gut brain axis signaling for different emotional states can cause the gut environment. 

The Mediative Mindful Gut 

Meditation and mindfulness practices places the body in a rest and digest state by activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS). Activation of PNS allows for: 

• Salivary secretion 

• Gastric juices production 

• Digestive enzyme stimulation 

• Nutrient assimilation and extraction by bile 

How the PNS is activated through meditation and mindfulness? 

One method for meditation to turn on PNS is through the breath work itself. This may be because of changes in blood pressure detected by baraoreceptors. This change in pressure allows for the stimulation of the vagus nerve. Another method is possible due to pulmonary mechanoreceptors in the lungs. These are nerve endings detecting volume of air in the lungs, triggering the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the main stimulator of the PNS. Vagal tone is a measure of PNS activity. Meditation and mindfulness also enhances activity of the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for analysis) and decreases amygdala activity (the part of the brain stimulating fight or flight).  

Summary 

1. Your gut produces roughly 90 percent or more of serotonin. 

2. Different emotions will result in food being digested in different ways. 

3. Negative emotions can lead to a leaky gut, induce stress hormones, and change microbiomes. 

4. Mediation and mindfulness can help the body digest food optimally through triggering the PNS. 

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