The Gut-brain Axis

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*This is not original work by Annie Emery, all credit to the authors

The term ‘gut-brain axis’ refers to the constant bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain.

The idea that the gut influences the brain, and therefore also behavior, is widely understood and accepted. The concept has made its way into everyday language with terms such as ‘gut feeling’, ‘gutsy’ and ‘butterflies in the stomach.’ Despite this, scientists have only recently begun to unravel the mechanisms behind the gut-brain axis. This communication link is at the core of an emerging area of research – neurogastroenterology.
 

Mounting evidence suggests that gut microbes help shape normal neural development, brain biochemistry and behavior.1 In particular, the gut microbiota are emerging as a key node in the communication between gut and brain. This has led to the coining of a new term: microbiota-gut-brain axis.