Dr. Diego Bohórquez: The Science of Your Gut Sense & the Gut-Brain Axis

Understanding the Gut-Brain Axis with Dr. Diego Bohórquez

 

Introduction

In this episode of the Huberman Lab podcast, Dr. Andrew Huberman speaks with Dr. Diego Bohórquez, a leading expert in gut sensing and the gut-brain axis. Dr. Bohórquez, a professor of medicine and neurobiology at Duke University, has made significant contributions to understanding how the gut communicates with the brain, impacting our emotions, behaviors, and overall wellbeing.

 

Core Concepts and Philosophies

Dr. Bohórquez's research focuses on the gut-brain axis, specifically on how the gut senses and responds to various food components. Unlike the commonly discussed microbiome, his work explores the sensory mechanisms within the gut that detect nutrients such as amino acids, fats, and sugars, and communicate this information to the brain. This sensory input influences our feelings, thoughts, and behaviors at a subconscious level.

 

Practical Strategies and Advice

• Pay attention to how different foods affect your mood and energy levels, as the gut's response to food can influence your overall feeling of wellbeing.
• Incorporate a variety of nutrient-rich foods to ensure your gut is receiving diverse sensory inputs that can positively impact brain function.
• Be mindful of your body's natural cravings, as these can be signals from your gut-brain axis guiding you towards specific nutrients your body needs.

 

Supporting Evidence

Dr. Bohórquez discusses studies showing how specific neurons in the brainstem integrate information from the gut, guiding behavior related to food intake and emotional responses. He highlights how early exposure to certain tastes, like sugar, can drive future cravings and preferences, rooted in the gut-brain communication pathways .

 

Personal Application

Dr. Bohórquez shares his personal journey, emphasizing how his upbringing in the Amazon jungle influenced his scientific curiosity about plants and their effects on the gut. His laboratory’s research incorporates this intuitive understanding of natural foods and their sensory impact on the gut-brain axis, illustrating the profound connection between diet and mental health .

 

Recommendations for Tools and Techniques

• Explore dietary tracking tools to monitor how different foods affect your mood and cognitive performance, helping to identify patterns and make informed dietary choices.
• Use mindfulness and body awareness practices to tune into the subtle signals from your gut, enhancing your ability to respond to its needs effectively.