UNDERSTANDING THE GUT-BRAIN AXIS

THE human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is far more than a digestive organ; it is a central regulator of immunity, metabolism, and even emotional well-being.

- Sadhvika Srinivas

As the body’s largest interface with the external environment, the gut constantly balances two critical roles: protecting us from harmful pathogens while remaining tolerant to harmless substances such as nutrients and commensal bacteria. This delicate balance forms the foundation of what we now call the gut-brain axis.

Although the gut-brain connection has surged in popularity in recent years, the idea itself isn’t new. Historically, the GI system was believed to be the source of both physical and mental imbalances. Early clinicians noticed that disturbances in digestion often coincided with changes in mood, motivation, and cognition, observations that modern research now supports. Today, the gut-brain axis is recognised as a bidirectional communication network linking the central nervous system with the gastrointestinal tract through neural, hormonal, immune, and microbial pathways. The vagus nerve, gut hormones, cytokines, and the microbiota all work together to ensure that the brain and gut constantly influence each other.