The second brain: the scientific basis of gut instinct and a groundbreaking new understanding of stomach and bowel disorders

"Persuasive, impassioned. . . hopeful news [for those] suffering from functional bowel disease." — New York Times Book Review Dr. Michael Gershon's groundbreaking book fills the gap between what you need to know—and what your doctor has time to tell you. Dr. Michael Gershon has devoted his career to understanding the human bowel (the stomach, esophagus, small intestine, and colon). His thirty years of research have led to an extraordinary rediscovery: nerve cells in the gut that act as a brain. This "second brain" can control our gut all by itself. Our two brains—the one in our head and the one in our bowel—must cooperate. If they do not, then there is chaos in the gut and misery in the head—everything from "butterflies" to cramps, from diarrhea to constipation. Dr. Gershon's work has led to radical new understandings about a wide range of gastrointestinal problems including gastroenteritis, nervous stomach, and irritable bowel syndrome. The Second Brain represents a quantum leap in medical knowledge and is already benefiting patients whose symptoms were previously dismissed as neurotic or "it's all in your head." Dr. Michael D. Gershon's Ground-breaking Work Clearly Demonstrates That The Human Gut Actually Has A Brain Of Its Own. This Remarkable Scientific Breakthrough Offers Fascinating Proof That Gut Instinct Is Biological, A Function Of The Second Brain. An Alarming Number Of People Suffer From Heartburn, Nausea, Abdominal Pain, Cramps, Diarrhea, Constipation, Or Related Problems. Often Thought To Be Caused By A Weakness Of The Mind, These Conditions May Actually Be A Reflection Of A Disorder In The Second Brain. The Second Brain, Located In The Bowel, Normally Works Smoothly With The Brain In The Head, Enabling The Head-brain To Concentrate On The Finer Pursuits Of Life While The Gut-brain Attends To The Messy Business Of Digestion. A Breakdown In Communication Between The Two Brains Can Lead To Stomach And Intestinal Trouble, Causing Sufferers Great Abdominal Grief And - Too Often - Labeling Them As Neurotic Complainers. Dr. Gershon's Research Into The Second Brain Provides Understanding For Those Who Suffer From Gut-related Ailments And Offers New Insight Into Their Origin, Extent, And Management. Pt. I. The Early Breakthroughs (1. The Discovery Of The Second Brain -- 2. The Autonomic Nervous System And The Story Of Chemical Neurotransmission -- 3. The Turning Point -- 4. The Workshop) -- Pt. Ii. The Travelogue (5. Beyond The Teeth : The Domain Stalked By Heartburn And Ulcer -- 6. Onward And Downward -- 7. It Ain't Over 'til It's Over -- 8. A Bad Bowel) -- Pt. Iii. The Origin Of The Second Brain And Its Disorders (9. The Enteric Nervous System Now -- 10. Immigrants And The Lower East Colon -- 11. Location, Location, Loction -- 12. The State Of The Bowel) -- Endnote : Animals In Biomedical Research. Michael Gershon. Dr. Michael Gershon Has Devoted His Career To Understanding The Human Bowel (the Stomach, Esophagus, Small Intestine, And Colon). His Thirty Years Of Research Have Led To An Extraordinary Rediscovery: Nerve Cells In The Gut That Act As A Brain. This Second Brain Can Control Our Gut All By Itself. Our Two Brains -- The One In Our Head And The One In Our Bowel -- Must Cooperate. If They Do Not, Then There Is Chaos In The Gut And Misery In The Head -- Everything From Butterflies To Cramps, From Diarrhea To Constipation. Dr. Gershon's Work Has Led To Radical New Understandings About A Wide Range Of Gastrointestinal Problems Including Gastroenteritis, Nervous Stomach, And Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The Second Brain Represents A Quantum Leap In Medical Knowledge And Is Already Benefiting Patients Whose Symptoms Were Previously Dismissed As Neurotic Or It's All In Your Head. A work of scientific discovery, this text reveals how the intensive creation of nerve cells in our gut - our second brain - was forgotten and how its rediscovery is transforming modern medicine THOSE OF US WHO deal in science, even the most enlightened of us, have strong and objectionable tendency to hubris.