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Gut-Brain Axis

Gut-Brain Axis

The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This interaction is mediated through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormonal signals, immune responses, and chemical messengers produced by gut microbes.Microbial Contributions to Brain FunctionGut microbiota contributes significantly to brain function by producing neuroactive compounds. These include neuroactive compounds that influence neurotransmitters such as...

Neural Regulation

Neural Regulation

Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.

Endocrine Signaling

Endocrine Signaling

Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.

Endocrine Signaling

Endocrine Signaling

Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.

What is the Endocrine System?

What is the Endocrine System?

The endocrine system sends hormones—chemical signals—through the bloodstream to target cells—the cells the hormones selectively affect. These signals are produced in endocrine cells, secreted into the extracellular fluid, and then diffuse into the blood. Eventually, they diffuse out of the blood and bind to target cells which have specialized receptors to recognize the hormones.

Regulation of Food Intake

Regulation of Food Intake

Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Real-time Analysis of Gut-brain Neural Communication: Cortex wide Calcium Dynamics in Response to Intestinal Glucose Stimulation

Real-time Analysis of Gut-brain Neural Communication: Cortex wide Calcium Dynamics in Response to Intestinal Glucose Stimulation

Published on: December 29, 2023

The endocannabinoid system and gut-brain signalling.

Martin A Storr¹, Keith A Sharkey

¹Department of Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Current Opinion in Pharmacology

|October 2, 2007

Summary

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates gut functions like motility and inflammation. Targeting the ECS offers potential new treatments for gastrointestinal disorders by modulating gut-brain signaling.

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Published on: September 21, 2019

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Gastroenterology
Pharmacology

Background:

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) comprises receptors, ligands, and enzymes governing physiological processes.
Within the gastrointestinal tract, the ECS influences motility, secretion, sensation, emesis, satiety, and inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in understanding the ECS within the gut-brain axis.
To highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting the ECS for gastrointestinal disorders.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on the ECS in the gut-brain axis.
Analysis of research on endocannabinoid levels in relation to satiety, diarrhea, emesis, and inflammation.
Examination of cannabinoid receptor (CB1, CB2) and TRPV-1 receptor involvement in vagal afferents and brainstem signaling.

Main Results:

Endocannabinoid levels fluctuate with satiety and in conditions like diarrhea, emesis, and inflammation.
Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) expression on vagal afferents is modulated by satiety and gut peptides (cholecystokinin, ghrelin).
Endocannabinoids in the brainstem, acting on CB1, CB2, and TRPV-1 receptors, regulate gut motor function and emesis.

Conclusions:

The ECS plays a significant role in gut-brain signaling, modulating visceral sensation and stress responses.
Understanding the ECS provides novel pharmacological targets for treating various gastrointestinal disorders.