Home

Enteric Nervous System (ENS), Second Brain, Belly Brain — The Gut-Brain Axis — Gut Health & Mental Health Physiologically Linked — for Yoga Teachers, Yoga Therapists, Health & Wellness Coaches, Holistic Healthcare Providers

Please Note: This is part of a series of related topics. Use the quick menu above to navigate within this section.

Lesson Overview

In this lesson, we explore the link between gut health, mood, and mental health, involving the enteric nervous system and the gut-brain axis.

Objective

Explain the physiology of the link between gut health and mental health, involving the enteric nervous system (ENS) and gut-brain axis (GBA).

Description

Describe the form and function of the enteric nervous system (ENS), its connection to the brain, why it’s called a “second brain” and its relationship to serotonin. Describe the gut-brain axis, including connections to the microbiome and vagus nerve. Explain the research-backed significance of the relationship between intestinal/digestive health and mental health.

Vocabulary

enteric nervous system (ENS), belly brain, gut, gut-brain axis, second brain

To view this page and thousands more, we invite you to join Yoga Teacher Central, serving teachers since 2012.

You'll get instant access to a massive, organized library of practical and time-tested lessons, plans, and support for yoga teachers and trainers.

The entire site is member-supported and ad-free.

Be the finest yoga teacher you can be.

Select below to learn more, sign up, or log in.

© 2024 Yoga Teacher Central • All rights reserved • Terms of service • Privacy policy