A Primer on the Gut-Brain Axis

The surprising links between the gut and our brain

Multiple links have been found between the brain and different parts of the body – but the most intriguing, the most recent, and potentially with the largest effects is that of the gut-brain axis and more specifically the influence of our microbiome on cognitive, mental health, and disease.

I've mentioned previously the type of questions I get asked when speaking at conferences and in public. One question that often comes up is the heart and brain. This may revolve around the fact that the heart has its own neurons (no surprise actually, it needs them), or “thinking with the heart” (spoiler: we don’t think with the heart, but, sure, our brain can be more empathetic). Though you may not, I think the heart-brain discussion old hat. It was first proposed decades ago; don’t fret we can cover it in later issues (it is still interesting). So, I often come up with the more recent concept, namely of the gut-brain axis. Not only that but the research into the microbiome (and not just in the gut) is shaking up the view of some conditions and giving rise to novel and effective therapies for some conditions (see box at end of article for review of gum disease and Alzheimer’s).

What is the gut-brain axis?