Chiropractic and the Vagus Nerve
A Path to Better Gut- Brain Connection
by Dr. Tim Fargo Chiropractor
In recent years, much has been made of the gut – brain connection. This is also known as the gut – brain axis. It is a bidirectional communication system between the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the network of nerves lining the gastrointestinal tract. What this means is that there is a direct connection between your gut and your brain. Because of this direct connection, the brain can influence gut function and, conversely, the gut can send signals that affect mood, cognition and the stress response.
In addition to the direct nerve connections between the brain and gut via the vagus nerve, the gut is estimated to have over 100 trillion organisms living in it (more than all the cells in the human body). This gut ecosystem produces neurotransmitters like, serotonin, dopamine and GABA which can influence brain function.
The brain and gut also communicate via hormones and immune signaling molecules (cytokines). Other substances like Short Chain Fatty Acids produced by gut bacteria can cross the blood-brain barrier and can influence brain activity.
One of the critical things to remember about the connection between the gut and the brain is the bidirectional nature of this connection. For example, stress and emotions affect gut function and, on the return flow, gut health can affect mental well-being.
The vagus nerve, also known as the 10th cranial nerve, is centered in the brainstem. It sits just above the big hole at the bottom of your skull. As the vagus nerve exits the skull it traverses in close proximity to the upper cervical vertebrae (spinal bones) and can therefore be impacted by the movement and alignment of those bones. It is quite common for people to have misalignments in the upper cervical spine which then impact the information flow, bidirectionally, along the vagus nerve. When this critical communication line is altered or distorted your health will also suffer. Chiropractors assess and, if necessary, realign and restore movement to the bones of the spine and thus allow this critical communication link to be maintained. If you, or someone you know, is suffering with digestive complaints, then consider the role of the vagus nerve and the possibility that a chiropractic adjustment might make all the difference in the world.
