VAGUS, A Different Kind of Party!
As I mentioned in my previous entry (on Breath-work), the Vagus Nerve regulates organ function and the “Rest and Digest/Fight or Flight systems. It truly is the Gut/Brain Connection! (Gut-Brain Axis if you want to be technical ;) It is the longest cranial nerve, connecting to the brain and branching out into multiple areas of the body, including the gut.
When you have ever “trusted your gut” or had a “gut feeling” or felt “butterflies” – that is your second brain speaking to you, via the Vagus Nerve!
There are about 100 trillion (beneficial & not so beneficial) bacteria that live inside our digestive system. The quality of our Gut Microbiome, and the messages it sends to the brain and the body, can help heal or hurt our bodies and minds.
An imbalanced gut may cause, among other things, allergies, food sensitivities, IBS, Crohn’s Disease and even Depression! Yup… a whopping 90% of the body’s serotonin (“The Happiness Hormone”) is made in the digestive tract! For me, that was MIND-BLOWING!
Now I’m not a doctor, and I haven’t even played one on TV, but when I learned this information it made me think of how much processed food Americans consume, how too many of them suffer from related illnesses and the quality of their gut microbiome… What messages are being received by their Vagus Nerve?
I noticed a HUGE shift in my own mental clarity and composure when I became more conscious of exactly what was in the food I was consuming! One of the best defenses, for me, is a good offense – incorporating more whole foods (closest to nature and unprocessed) into my lifestyle was a start to balancing this beautiful relationship between body and mind (and soul)!
I encourage you to listen to the messages your body is whispering to you – sometimes SHOUTING – and find your unique Happy Body, Mind, Soul connection… You know yourself best! As always, please reach out and let me know what comes up for you!
