Download Mind-Gut Connections

Mind-Gut Connections
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Janice Singles, Psy.D., Distinguished Psychologist
Have You Ever?
Tonight………
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The amazing gut
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Some of the brain-gut connections
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Stress and the gut
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Research and other interesting things
Contrasting Environments
Gut’s nervous system
What is The Brain in the Gut?
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The Enteric Nervous System
is embedded in the lining of
the GI system:
 Esophageus
 Stomach
 Small
 colon
intestine
Brain in the Gut
Neurotransmitters: Serotonin
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Although manufactured in the
brain, 90-95% of our supply
is found in the digestive tract
Vital for communication
Important to motility and
sensitivity to gut sensations
It is also a “feel good”
hormone
Can operate
independently of
the brain and spinal
cord
Functions of Gut Bacteria
It helps the body to digest certain foods
 It helps with the production of some
vitamins
 It helps us combat aggressions from other
microorganisms
 It plays an important role in the immune
system
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The Wonder of Gut Bacteria
Up to a 1000
DIFFERENT
bacteria
species
How Does the Brain and Gut Connect?
Can Stress Impact the Gut?
A state of mental or emotional strain or tension
resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.
Body’s Stress Response
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Brain perceives a threat
Nervous system responds &
releases stress hormones
These hormones helps set up
body for emergency action
including :
heart rate increases
 muscles tighten
 blood pressure rises
 breath quickens
 senses sharpen

Our Thoughts Matter
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Do we see as a
challenge or a threat?
Do we feel we have the
resources to handle it?
Are our thoughts helpful
or dysfunctional?
What Influences Your Stress Tolerance Level

Social support
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Your sense of control
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Your attitude and outlook
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Your ability to deal with emotions
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Your knowledge and preparation
We can’t avoid stress completely!
Coping is what we all want to do
Healthy Coping
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What are some healthy ways to cope with stress?
Unhealthy Coping

What are some unhealthy ways to cope with stress?
“I divorced him after I discovered that when I
eat alone, I didn’t get indigestion.”
Gastrointestinal Function
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Appears particularly
influenced by stress.
Common symptoms
due to stress are
heartburn, indigestion,
nausea and vomiting,
diarrhea, constipation
and abdominal pain.
How Stress Impacts Your Gut
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Decreased nutrient absorption
Decreased oxygenation to your gut
Four times less blood flow to your digestive system
Decreased metabolism
Decreased enzymatic output
Alterations in gastrointestinal motility
Increase in visceral perception
Changes in gastrointestinal secretion
Negative effects on regenerative capacity of gut
Mind Gut Connection
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Symptoms themselves
can be stressful
AND stress itself can
make any symptoms
worse
Some Current and Recent Explorations
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Stay
tuned……..
Research
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In 2014, the US National Institute of Mental Health
spent more than $1 million on research aimed at the
microbiome connection
Ridaura, V.K., et al., Gut microbiota from twins discordant for obesity modulate
metabolism in mice. Science, 2013.
Autism Research

Our intestines are
home to a diverse
community of
beneficial organisms.
This community may be
altered in problematic
ways in some
individuals with autism.
Clinical Trial: Prebiotics on Mood
Those taking the prebiotic
had a reduced tendency to
pay attention to negative
information, which is a key
component of anxiety and
depression.
 They also had lower
levels of stress hormone
cortisol, which has also
been connected to
anxiety and depression.
Schmidt, et al., 2014, Journal of psychopharmacology
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Study: Probiotics for IBS
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common
disorder of the intestines that leads to crampy
pain, gassiness, bloating and changes in bowel
habits.
Adequate relief reported in 47% (11% in
placebo)
Improved global symptom score, pain,
distension/bloating and stool urgency.
Guglielmetti S, et al. RCT: Bifidobacterium bidfidum MIMBb75 significantly alleviates
IBS and improves QOL-a DBPCS. Aliment Pharmacolo Ther. 2011. 33(10)
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment: IBS
Hypnosis for IBS
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state of inner
absorption,
concentration
and focused
attention.
Mindfulness Meditation Research: IBS
Calming Physical and Emotional State
1.
2.
3.
4.
Breathe deeply and feel the expansion in the
abdomen
Imagine breathing into the heart center
Imagine or remember someone you love, or a
beautiful place, or a beloved pet. Something that
makes you feel good now.
Breathe that experience into your heart center