Your digestive system has its own huge network of nerve cells called the enteric nervous system.

It contains hundreds of millions of neurons and stretches through much of your digestive tract.

And no, I'm not saying your stomach literally has a tiny brain hiding inside it. 😂

The enteric nervous system helps control things like the movement of food through your intestines, digestive secretions and blood flow in the gut.

What's really interesting is that it can coordinate many of these processes without needing your brain to consciously tell your digestive system what to do.

That's probably why scientists sometimes call it the “second brain.”

And your gut also communicates with your actual brain through several pathways, including the vagus nerve.

So when people talk about the gut-brain connection, they're not just making up a fancy phrase.

Your digestive system and brain are constantly sending signals back and forth.

Basically, while you're busy thinking about school, football, food or whatever else is on your mind...

Your gut has its own little management team running in the background. 😭😂

Quick fact: The enteric nervous system contains a huge network of neurons that helps control digestion and can coordinate many gut functions independently.

Your body really has a whole communication system that most of us never think about.