The gut-brain axis has a rapid communication system

A new study, published in the journal Science, into the gut-brain axis (also known as the second brain) has found that the gut communicates with the brain rapidly, relying much more on synapses than on hormones (as previously thought).  This may be why when we feel nervous or stressed before an important event like a meeting or exam we can feel sick.  Previous studies have shown that the bacteria in our gut influences anxiety, moods, emotions and depression.  This new study shows how quickly it happens.

Previously it was believed that the gut communicated with the brain through hormones released into the blood stream, this new study challenges this.  The scientists grew laboratory cultures of sensory gut cells together with vagal neurons.  The study revealed that the neurons move toward the gut cells connecting rapidly and firing signals.

NOTE:  Science is a peer reviewed academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)