The Gut-Brain Connection

When you think about brain health, you probably imagine puzzles, meditation, or maybe even omega-3 supplements. But what if one of the most powerful influences on your brain wasn't in your head at all—but in your gut? In recent years, science has shed light on the profound relationship between the gut and the brain, referred to as the gut-brain axis. 
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This connection isn’t just a metaphor—it’s a complex, two-way communication system involving neural, hormonal, and immune pathways. Understanding it could transform how we approach mental health, digestion, immunity, and even chronic diseases.

McCann Family Chiropractic offers cold laser therapy which will help you tap into this powerful gut-brain axis.  Using the Erchonia Zerona VZ8 Fat Loss laser for the abdominal region and the Erchonia FX405 for the brain at the same time may activate this pathway and help you in many ways on your path to wellness! 
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What Is the Gut-Brain Axis?
The gut-brain axis refers to the constant biochemical signaling that occurs between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. The vagus nerve, the body’s longest cranial nerve, acts as a major communication highway, transmitting messages back and forth.

But it's not just nerves. Hormones, immune cells, and even gut bacteria (the microbiome) play critical roles in this dialogue. This means your gut can influence how you think and feel—and vice versa.
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Your Second Brain: The Enteric Nervous System
The gut is often called the “second brain” because of the enteric nervous system (ENS)—a vast network of over 100 million nerve cells embedded in the walls of the digestive tract. The ENS can operate independently of the brain and spinal cord, controlling digestion and reacting to stimuli.
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It also produces more than 90% of the body’s serotonin, the neurotransmitter commonly associated with happiness and mood regulation. So, it’s no surprise that gut health is closely tied to mental well-being.
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How Gut Health Affects Your Mind
Research has found links between gut health and several mental health conditions:

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• Anxiety and depression: Dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria) has been associated with higher rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms.
• Stress response: An unhealthy gut can amplify the body’s response to stress.
• Cognitive function: Gut inflammation may play a role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

Fermented foods great for gut health: kimchi, red beets, apple cider vinegar, coconut milk yogurt, cucumber pickles, sauerkraut

One landmark study (1) found that participants who consumed probiotic-rich foods or supplements reported improved mood and reduced anxiety, possibly due to positive changes in their microbiota.
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​How the Brain Affects Your Gut
On the flip side, mental and emotional stress can trigger gut symptoms:

• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is often exacerbated by stress and anxiety.
• Psychological stress can alter gut motility, increase intestinal permeability ("leaky gut"), and shift microbiome composition.

This means treating gut issues often requires addressing psychological health too.
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​Tips for Supporting the Gut-Brain Connection
Want to take better care of your gut and, by extension, your brain? Here are a few science-backed strategies:
🌿 1. Eat the Rainbow
Load up on fiber-rich veggies, fruits, legumes, and whole grains to feed your healthy gut bacteria.
🧘‍♀️ 2. Prioritize Stress Reduction
Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or time in nature can calm your nervous system—and your gut will thank you.
🥣 3. Embrace Fermented Foods
Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha are natural sources of probiotics that help balance your microbiome.
💧 4. Hydrate and Sleep Well
Dehydration and sleep deprivation can stress your gut and brain. Aim for 7–9 hours of quality rest and sip water throughout the day.
✨ 5. Limit Gut Disruptors
Minimize processed foods, excessive sugar, and unnecessary antibiotics, which can throw your microbiome off balance.
🦠 6. Explore Probiotics and Adaptogens
Probiotic supplements or gut-supporting herbs like ashwagandha and licorice root may help you restore balance—just check with your wellness provider.

Eat the rainbow!

Final Thoughts
The gut-brain connection reminds us that the body doesn’t work in isolated systems—everything is interlinked. By nurturing your gut and your brain, you're not only improving digestion but potentially reducing anxiety, boosting mood, and supporting long-term brain health.
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If you are interested in cold laser therapy to help tap into the powerful gut-brain connection, call us today!

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(1) ​Probiotics’ Effects in the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression: A Comprehensive Review of 2014–2023 Clinical Trials. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10893170/