Focus on your Second Brain, First ??

When somebody casually tells me that they have dandruff or acne, I say "Its coming from the gut". I almost get labelled as "crazy" for saying that.

However, Gut is your second brain. Ayurveda has professed that philosophy for years, ever since the beginning. Our seers and sages have always claimed that humans are emotional creatures. Emotions are intricately connected to our physiology.

Today, modern research shows that emotions have a dramatic influence on the gut, and it can influence everything from digestion to absorption. Believe it or not, the rising cases of gastritis are an outcome of the increased stress and depression in people.

The First Brain and the Second brain has a 2-way system. Just like you digest food in your gut, you digest emotions in your brain.

And if either food or emotions are not digestion, the other brain gets affected and affects the digestion powers.

If there's an emotional upheaval, then my food digestion gets impacted. If my food digestion is not proper, I don't feel chirpy or happy either.

When I am stressed, my brain releases stress hormones i.e. cortisol. Cortisol, suppresses, the beneficial bacteria in the gut and impacts the digestion.

Did you also know , that the gut bacteria produces about 95% of my body's supply of serotonin ? And Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which affects both my gut and the mood.

So you may ask, what do we do about it. As much as you take care of your gut and be conscious about taking a correct personalised diet, it is also important to prevent emotional blockages.

"Srotomukha Vishodhanam" which is the act of free allowance and release of emotions. Let the emotions flow. Don't suppress them. If its the pain of losing a dear one, a heart break or any humiliation, or even a sudden shift in your life, allow it. Crying is healthy. Wailing is OK. Sharing your darkest fears with someone, is also therapeutic.

And then there are stuck emotions, or stuck feelings. For that, you can

1. Get a deep tissue massage (or Abhyangam)

2. Observe your breath. Preferably deep breathe. Doing this is the simplest form of meditation.

3. Taking a Shirodhara. This is the ancient technique where buttermilk or oil is dripped onto your forehead in a thin, constant stream to nourish your mind.

So, next time, when you feel bloated, or have a digestion issue, sit calm, deep breathe and check your emotions. There might be some undigested thoughts and feelings. Digest them first.

Take Care. Namaskaram.

Puneet Aggarwal

Disclaimer : I am not a doctor. This email is only meant for educational purposes. This is not intended to serve as medical advice. For medical advice, please contact a certified and registered Physician/ Ayurvedic doctor.