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the_brain_in_your_gut
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DannyH
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In mammals there exist two brains of almost equal importance to the individual and race. One is the cranial brain, the instrument of volitions, of mental progress and physical protection. The other is the abdominal brain, the instrument of vascular and visceral function. It is the automatic, vegetative, the subconscious brain of physical existence. In the cranial brain resides the consciousness of right and wrong. Here is the seat of all progress, mental and moral ... However, in the abdomen there exists a brain of wonderful power maintaining eternal, restless vigilance over its viscera. It presides over organic life. It dominates the rhythmical function of viscera....The abdominal brain is a receiver, a reorganizer, an emitter of nerve forces. It has the power of a brain. It is a reflex center in health and disease.... The abdominal brain is not a mere agent of the [cerebral] brain and cord; it receives and generates nerve forces itself; it presides over nutrition. It is the center of life itself. In it are repeated all the physiologic and pathologic manifestations of visceral function (rhythm, absorption, secretion, and nutrition)” (Robinson, 1907, pp. 123 - 126).
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050517
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quotree
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reptile_brain.
First there's the most primitive of our brains, sometimes referred to as the "reptilian brain" because we share it in common with reptiles like alligators and komodo dragons. The reptile brain has a singular focus: survival. It doesn't think in abstract terms, and doesn't feel complex emotions. Instead, it's responsible for fight-or-flight, hunger and fear, attack or run. It's also non-verbal - you can stimulate it with the right words, but it operates purely at the level of visceral stimulus-response."
and it speaks underneath all the others, way down where we forget to listen.
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050517
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mt
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also sacral chakra, second one
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050517
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anaesthetic
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Interesting how we talk about having a gut feeling, having the stomach for a daunting task, the guts to take a risk. Our deepest and most untamable emotions and intuitions appear to be felt in our viscera. Is it possible that they are, to some extent, generated there too? How many are eating themselves to death, desperately trying to feed their souls?
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050518
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jujvkivm
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zhjun
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050518
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DannyH
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So I was having this conversation with my gut. Well, it was more of an argument really. I had eaten something that had disagreed with it already that day so it was really up for a fight. Without really thinking I had said something about the “higher functions” which inevitably got it all defensive. I tried to bluff it off by saying that all I meant by “higher” was further away from the ground but it was having none of it.
“So I suppose you’re going to tell me intuition is a loooower function are you” My gut had that horrible mocking habit of stretching out a vowel to emphasise the fact that it was parodying me. “and motivation that’s a looooow one too is it?”
Now a vestigial enteric brain with an inferiority complex was not going to get the dinner digested so I figured there was no point trying to reason with it. The only sensible course of action was to try and placate the evolutionary leftover.
“Now come on, gutsy.” I said, affably, “you know we’re all full of admiration for the work you do. Christ, I wouldn’t be with Sarah now if it wasn’t for you pumping all that seratonin into me whenever we caught a whiff of her. There’s no need to make out like you aren’t valued. Have a yoghurt and chill out.”
“Don’t try and get around me with smooth talk and bacteria you mealy mouthed computer slave, although that is bloody good yoghurt I have to admit, the truth is you look down on me. You’ve made your home up there in the skull with that, that… abacus. I know you only do it so you can be closer to the eyes but down here’s where it all really happens. Think about it, which would you rather lose, your sight or the ability to shit and piss at appropriate times. It’s a toss up isn’t it?”
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050824
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egger
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applauds
you go belly!
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050824
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kombucha
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120215
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unhinged
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was tugging on the emergency escape hatch for awhile but i didn't notice til it started screaming and sounding all alarms
_i'm_sorry_ belly
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120215
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