From StarTalk.
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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Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction: Emeran Mayer
05:40 – What Is the Gut-Brain Connection?
09:32 – GLP-1 & The Feeling of Hunger
12:02 – The Connectivity of the Gut
14:57 – Eating & Stress
19:25 – Do Cleanses Work?
22:59 – Why Do We Have Microbiomes?
27:10 – Superhighway for Psychadelics
32:34 – Diet & Neurological Disease
39:49 – Fixing IBS & Do We Need Supplements?
42:12 – Discerning Fact From Fiction
48:28 – Closing Thoughts
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Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
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