David_Gerard comments on A sense of logic - Less Wrong

13 Post author: NancyLebovitz 10 December 2010 06:19PM

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Comment author: wedrifid 11 December 2010 04:20:18PM *  0 points [-]

We have an amazing number of neurons in our digestive system-- roughly the size of a cat's brain. Strong emotional responses (like fear, anger, or disgust) are transmitted from the brain in the head to the brain in the gut, often resulting in pain or other discomfort.

Now that is fascinating. Do you have a reference I can look at further?

Comment author: David_Gerard 11 December 2010 05:02:47PM 2 points [-]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enteric_nervous_system

It's about 100 million neurons. (Compare 1000x that in the brain.)

Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 11 December 2010 10:15:34PM 3 points [-]

The more interesting question is whether the strong emotions do indeed cause discomfort in the gut.

Comment author: AlexGreen 11 December 2010 11:55:31PM 3 points [-]

I've also been told that trauma for the stomach can effect the emotional state, and I can personally attest to feeling distressed, then eating a good sized meal and feeling better afterwords; Also connecting with fast food and eating disorders.

But this could also be an old wives tale, and I'm suffering from a placebo effect.

Comment author: Normal_Anomaly 27 April 2012 06:59:18PM 1 point [-]

I can personally attest to feeling distressed, then eating a good sized meal and feeling better afterwords

I was under the impression (I don't recall from where) that this was due to the effect of blood sugar levels on mood. No evidence for this other than that I become irritable when hungry, but it's an alternative explanation.

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