Scientists Now Know the Gut Controls Numerous Biological Parameters Within the Body Via Neurotransmitters. The Enteric Nervous System Complements the TCM Sanjiao aka Triple Energizer, Triple Warmer, Triple Heater

  The Gut Microbiome Synthesizes More than Thirty Neurotransmitters. How does the Enteric Nervous System Complement the TCM Sanjiao aka Triple Energizer, Triple Warmer, Triple Heater? 

A 2010 article in Scientific American by Adam Hadhazy (188) shows that there is an often-overlooked massive network of neurons lining our guts that is so extensive some scientists have nicknamed it our second brain. This second brain is able to control gut behavior independently of the brain. The article states, ‘Technically known as the enteric nervous system, the second brain consists of sheaths of neurons embedded in the walls of the long tube of our gut, or alimentary canal, which measures about nine meters end to end from the oesophagus to the anus. The second brain contains some 100 million neurons; this is more than what’s in either the spinal cord or the peripheral nervous system.’

The article further states, ‘This multitude of neurons in the enteric nervous system enables us to “feel” the inner world of our gut and its contents.’ A major role of the enteric nervous system is involved in managing the processes of digestion. The digestion of complex foods, absorption of fluids and nutrients, and expelling of metabolic waste products requires a vast amount of processing. It seems to me that these features involve characteristics associated with the ancient description of the Sanjiao aka Triple Energizer.

This enlightening book is easy to understand, and is essential reading for everyone wishing to know more about the wondrous biochemical and biological processes that are being performed inside our body thanks to the recently discovered Gut Microbiome. These remarkable functions of the gut microbiome are being discovered and verified by modern scientific research on a daily basis. This informative and enlightening book can be securely purchased by clicking the ‘BUY NOW’ button at the bottom of this page.

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Summary of Chapter 43

An article in Scientific American by Adam Hadhazy (188) shows that there is an often-overlooked massive network of neurons lining our guts that is so extensive some scientists have nicknamed it our second brain. This second brain is able to control gut behavior independently of the brain. This second brain contains some 100 million neurons; this is more than what’s present in either the spinal cord or the peripheral nervous system.

Scientists were recently shocked to learn that about 90% of the fibers in the primary visceral nerve, the vagus nerve, carry information from the gut to the brain and not the other way around. ‘A big part of our emotions are probably influenced by the nerves in our gut,’ Mayer (188) says. This recent scientific finding is in keeping with ancient TCM philosophy.

Scientists are making incredible findings about how the gut controls so many biological parameters within the body. The enteric nervous system uses more than thirty neurotransmitters, just like the brain, and in fact, 95% of the body’s serotonin is found in the bowels.

Note that the bacteria of the gut microbiome communicate with enteric nervous system cells. The microflora in the gut is responsible for synthesizing many, if not all, of the neurotransmitters that the second brain uses to communicate with the cranial brain. Many of the functions of the enteric nervous system are common functions of the San Jiao.

REFERENCES:

(188) Hadhazy, A., ‘Think Twice: How the Gut’s “Second Brain” Influences Mood and Well-Being’, Scientific American (2010).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I wish to sincerely thank Dr Paul U. Unschuld for the selfless and tireless work he has committed to make many ancient Chinese medical classics available in English for study and research. My book is based predominantly around his scholarly work ‘Nan-Ching: The Classic of Difficult Issues’. I also wish to sincerely thank Professor Unschuld for permission to use citations of his translation in my book. His translation of ‘Nan-Ching: The Classic of Difficult Issues’ can be purchased from the following link: https://www.amazon.com/Nan-ching_The-Classic-Difficult-Comparative-Studies/dp/0520053729

To Securely Purchase the Book, Click the ‘BUY NOW’ Button!