The brain and gut are connected through multiple pathways and this communication is bi-directional. The vagus nerve is one of the main ways this communication occurs between the brain and the gut.
The brain has the ability to control the gut and make sure there is appropriate muscle function, the right chemicals and fluids to aid in digestion, enough blood in the gut to give fuel and remove waste relative to the digestive organs, and the ability to properly break down and absorb nutrients while expelling the waste.
The brain also controls the immune system in the gut so as your immune system does not start attacking your food the way it would attack an infection.
The gut at the same time will send information to the brain about its current status. By communicating to the brain what the gut needs to do its job, the brain can listen and make sure the gut can function appropriately.
Recently, more attention has been focused on problems in this gut-brain connection and its relationship to health and disease. The gut makes over 30 neurotransmitters and has more neurons than in the spinal cord. Many of the chemicals the gut makes crosses the blood-brain barrier and enters the brain which can alter brain function. Therefore, inflammation of the gut and digestive disorders are now known to be associated with psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and PTSD.
The digestive system is constantly bombarded with food, possible infections, and the role of controlling the balance within our normal gut bacteria. Therefore, there is a hardwired connection between the brain, the gut, and the immune system. When this communication goes wrong, it can lead to increased inflammation, increased autoimmunity, and digestion, as well as psychiatric problems. Therefore, poor brain function can lead to altered gut function causing disease. At the same time, poor gut function can alter normal brain function and cause abnormal changes in the brain.
Electric stimulation of the vagus nerve has been a more recent treatment used to improve the brain-gut connection and improve gut health, psychiatric health, inflammation, and autoimmunity. Vagus nerve stimulation has been shown to activate many areas of the brain including areas related to emotions, executive function, and control of the gut. Vagus nerve stimulation has been shown to positively change the concentration of neurotransmitters in the brain which most likely relates to its benefits for mood disorders.
At The Neurologic Wellness Institute, we use a wide variety of techniques and technology to stimulate the vagus nerve in an easy, non-painful manner. This type of therapy has been shown to improve brain connections during therapy, reduce inflammation and autoimmunity, and improve mood and executive function.
For more information schedule a consult with one of our patient care coordinators.
To find you locally trained chiropractic neurologist / functional neurologist click: https://www.acnb.org/DoctorLocator.aspx
