The Body-Mind Connection: How Physiology Shapes Mental Health
For too long, we’ve treated mental health as something separate from physical health—as if our minds float independently of our bodies. But emerging research reveals a profound truth: our mental wellbeing is deeply intertwined with our physiology. Understanding this connection opens up powerful new pathways for supporting mental health. The Gut-Brain Axis: Your Second Brain Your gut contains over 100 million neurons—more than your spinal cord. This “second brain” produces approximately 90% of your body’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter crucial for mood regulation. The gut microbiome communicates constantly with your brain through the vagus nerve, influencing everything from anxiety levels to decision-making. Recent studies show that people with depression and anxiety often have distinctly different gut bacteria compositions compared to those without these conditions. This explains why probiotics and dietary changes can sometimes significantly impact mental health symptoms. What you...