Emeran Mayer – Biological Interconnectedness
In this episode, Wendy speaks with gastroenterologist, author, and microbiome researcher Emeran Mayer. Emeran is a world renowned expert in the connections between the gut and the mind, and brings a biological lens to the concept of interconnection. This conversation covers many topics, including:
his interest in mind-body connection;
microbiome overview & current questions;
how we've inherited systems of communication from microbes;
gut-brain connections, and the concept of the "second brain";
how meditation might affect our microbes;
gut-immune connections;
the importance of barriers, and what goes wrong in "leaky gut";
barrier compromise as common core of nearly all chronic disorders;
stress and diet as key factors affecting our gut permeability;
what we can do to protect our gut;
equity issues around healthy food access;
the gut as a sense organ;
reductions in the diversity of microbes on the planet;
the role of antibiotics and environmental destruction;
development of the microbiome in pregnancy and infancy;
implications for our concept of self;
balance between reductionism and embracing complexity in science;
and the need for more of the feminine archetype in our world.
Full show notes and resources
Emeran Mayer – Biological Interconnectedness