Inside the human stomach

artiteacher The highway of communication along the vagus

artiteacher The brain-gut hotline

Gut's got a brain, Vagus nerve highway, Talking up top!

artiteacher The hunger hormones that trigger appetite

artiteacher When the stomach is empty, it releases a hormone that signals the brain to feel hungry.

The highway of communication along the vagus

artiteacher A massive nerve pathway connects your stomach directly to your brainstem.

BETA

artiteacher Match stomach enzymes to different foods to learn how your body digests meals.

Fun Fact

Serotonin source: Over 90% of your body's serotonin—the chemical that regulates mood—is produced in your gut, not your brain.

Glossary

vagus nerve (noun)
A major cranial nerve that interfaces with parasympathetic control of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. It serves as the primary physical pathway transmitting stress signals from the brain directly to the stomach.

Gossip

Do you think better on empty stomach?

Quiz

What is the network of 100 million neurons in your digestive tract called?

artiteacher Butterflies and stress halting digestion

Gossip

Where do you feel stress first?

Quiz

What percentage of fibers in the vagus nerve carry signals from the gut to the brain?

artiteacher The second brain in your gut

Quiz

Which major nerve connects the brain directly to the stomach and gut?

Quiz

Why does stress cause 'butterflies' in your stomach?

Quiz

Where does the hormone ghrelin travel to trigger the sensation of hunger?

Quiz

What happens to stomach digestion during a 'fight or flight' response?

Quiz

How much of the body's mood-regulating chemical serotonin is produced in the gut?

Quiz

Which hormone is produced by an empty stomach to signal hunger to the brain?