The Enteric Nervous System - Your Body's "Second Brain"?

HOW many brains do you have? If you answer "one," you are correct. Yet, there are other nervous systems in your body. One network of neurons is so extensive that some scientists have referred to it as a "second brain.."  It is the enteric nervous system (ENS) and is located, not in your head, but mostly in your belly.

It takes an enormous amount of coordination and effort for the body to transform the food into fuel.  Hence, it is fitting that the brain is designed to delegate, as it were, most digestive control to the ENS.

While much simpler than the brain, the ENS is immensely complex. In humans, it is made up of an estimated 200 to 600 million neurons.   This complex of neurons is build into the digestive system. Scientists believe that if the function of the ENS were to take place in the brain, the needed nerves would be too thick. According to the book The Second Brain, "It is thus both safer and more convenient to let the [digestive system[ look after itself."

Next time: The Enteric Nervous System - Your Body's "Second Brain"? 

From the jw.org publications