Brain/Gut Basics
This “second brain” lives in your belly.
What is the Gut
When you’re nervous before a test, you might feel these in your stomach.
What are "Butterflies"
The gut makes brain chemicals that affect your ____—when named could be happy, sad, calm, or angry.
What are emotions / mood
Alcohol and vaping both hurt this system.
What is the gut/ brain axis
Eating yogurt or sauerkraut helps the gut because they have these.
What are probiotics
The gut and brain talk to each other using nerves, hormones, and these tiny living helpers.
What are Bacteria / microbiome
Stress can make you run to the bathroom with this.
What is Diarrhea?
This word means “unbalanced gut bacteria.”
What is dysbiosis?
Alcohol can damage the gut wall, leading to this condition.
What is leaky gut?
Drinking this simple liquid helps the gut and brain.
What is Water
This nerve is like a phone line between your gut and brain.
What is the Vagus nerve
The stress response that shuts down digestion is called this.
What is fight or flight
Poor gut health can cause this mental muddled state.
What is Brain Fog
Vaping reduces the variety of these tiny gut helpers.
What are gut bacteria/ microbes
Moving your body every day helps both your gut and ____.
What is your brain
This “happy chemical” is mostly made in the gut.
What is serotonin
Long-term stress can cause tiny holes in your gut lining, also called this.
What is Leaky Gut
Alcohol can rewire (these brain systems) that control pleasure and craving.
What are reward pathways
This drug class slows digestion and causes severe constipation.
What are opioids
This type of therapy teaches you to notice and change thoughts.
What is CBT cognitive behavior therapy
The gut and brain are connected by this special “axis.”
What is the brain gut axis
Not to be confused with the vagus nerve (which is a key part, which is closely related but not the same. The broader term B/G axis is also including: Hormones, Immune system, Microbiome, and other nerve pathways besides the vagus
Name one stomach problem stress can cause.
What are nausea, constipation, IBS, or indigestion?
When the gut is sick, it can cause this kind of brain inflammation.
What is neuroinflammation
Too much cannabis can cause this repeated vomiting condition.
What is cyclical vomiting syndrome
True or False: You can never heal your gut after alcohol or stress.
What is False