The Gut-Brain Connection with Emeran Mayer

About This Episode

Is your gut controlling your brain? Neil deGrasse Tyson, co-hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice, dive into the gut-brain connection, GLP-1, and how this connection plays a role in conditions like anxiety, IBS, and even neurodegenerative diseases with Emeran Mayer, a gastroenterologist and neuroscientist.

​​What exactly is happening inside your digestive system? Emeran, author of The Mind-Gut Connection, explains how the gut has its own nervous system, harbors 70% of the immune system, and communicates with the brain through neurotransmitters, hormones, and the vagus nerve. How does this bidirectional highway influence our emotions, decision-making, and overall health? We break down why your gut may be making you anxious and why your mind may be what’s giving you IBS. Learn about what a “healthy microbiome” means and how to wade through the onslaught of internet fads.

Why do some people struggle to know when they’re full? What’s the science behind GLP-1 medications, and how do they mimic the body’s natural hunger signals? Could fecal transplants restore lost gut function? We also investigate whether psychedelics interact with gut bacteria, how diet shapes brain health, and why Western medicine is only beginning to grasp the body’s interconnected systems. Plus, Chuck shares his ayahuasca experience, and we uncover the truth behind the latest gut health trends.

If you’ve ever wondered why you stress-eat, get “hangry,” or crave chocolate, the answers may be inside your gut!

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