Just feels wrong in the gut
Today, like many other days, we (read I) will talk about something we (read you) don’t give much thought about. Your gut.
The length of the intestines can vary greatly among individuals. Research suggests that the combined length of the small and large intestines is at least 15 ft in length. The small intestine can measure about 9–16 ft, while the large intestine is roughly 5 ft long. So the small intestine incidentally also happens to be the longer one.
First, the number of bacteria in your gut is vast — 50 trillion or so, which equals about one for every human cell in our bodies. The makeup of this bacterial collection, or microbiome, is affected by many things, including diet, exercise and cultural influences. You can almost argue that you are but a vehicle for 50 trillion other beings (just in your gut)! Now that truly should be a none-fake-humbling-experience to talk about in your acceptance speech for the made up award that no one cares about, except the ones clapping there in envy.
Those bacteria interact with the brain and other organs in three ways. First, the gut and brain communicate by molecules carried in the blood, and microbes influence those chemical messages.
Microbes also interact with the gut’s special nervous system, called the enteric nervous system. It has a direct, two-way connection with the brain via the central nervous system.
Finally, the immune system of the gut wall and the body’s other immune components respond to gut microbes, affecting the brain and organs.
Next time, if you happen to be the kind of person who a) gets invited to cocktail parties and b) has non-imaginary-friends who hosts them, print this page and keep it tucked neatly in a purse or a backpocket to sound intelligent as you yap to a person staring at a screen. In a rare case, they are actually listening to everything to what you are saying like a creep. Just check in with your gut. I mean, if all things seem to check out and yet something feels wrong deep down there, probably 50 trillion beings are about to help you avoid another foolish decision. After-all, they have a lot more skin in the game. Either that, or someone mixed something weird in your drink.
Gut biomes are largely a mystery, which makes it even more difficult for someone who worships the neocortex to trust the gut. What’s your deal? Do you trust your gut? More importantly, do you take care of it?
More from bubbykin here. You may also like some of these popular posts:
Investing in high growth economies
