The Second Brain: A Groundbreaking New Understanding of Nervous Disorders of the Stomach and Intestine

The Second Brain: A Groundbreaking New Understanding of Nervous Disorders of the Stomach and Intestine
Average customer rating:

Interesting book

Step-by-step research overview

Important read...

the other white matter

A wonderful and fascinating read....

The Second Brain: A Groundbreaking New Understanding of Nervous Disorders of the Stomach and Intestine
Michael Gershon
Manufacturer: Harper Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

Dr. Michael Gershon has devoted his career to understanding the human bowel (the stomach, esophagus, small intestine, and colon). His thirty years of research have led to an extraordinary rediscovery: nerve cells in the gut that act as a brain. This "second brain" can control our gut all by itself. Our two brains -- the one in our head and the one in our bowel -- must cooperate. If they do not, then there is chaos in the gut and misery in the head -- everything from "butterflies" to cramps, from diarrhea to constipation. Dr. Gershon's work has led to radical new understandings about a wide range of gastrointestinal problems including gastroenteritis, nervous stomach, and irritable bowel syndrome. The Second Brain represents a quantum leap in medical knowledge and is already benefiting patients whose symptoms were previously dismissed as neurotic or "it's all in your head."

Customer Reviews:

Interesting book.......2007-09-21

This book is very comprehensive and well written. It is probably too technical for the average reader although anyone with a science or medical background should be fine. The discussion of the various research techniques and findings build up a complete view of the current state of research in the field of neurogastroenterology. A reader looking for a simple solution to their irritable bowel syndrome will be disappointed.

Step-by-step research overview.......2007-08-31

I'm extremly glad I've read this book before attending medical school. The author provides a textbook quality overview of the enteric nervous system in so many pages without boring or confusing the reader in the slightest bit. I loved this book and wish there were more neurobiologist authors out there like him.

Important read..........2007-07-13

Honestly, I have not been able to complete this book because I bought it for my Dad to read. The little I was able to read before I gave it away was very informative. Dr. Gershon writes clearly and concise. You don't have to be a doctor to understand his book. He starts out by explaining the inner workings of the intestines and then proceeds on with how it really does have a mind of its own. I highly recommend this book if you or someone you know has or has had an intestinal disorder. Even if that's not the case, I think this book holds a lot of important information for someone who is healthy.

the other white matter.......2006-08-19

Michael Gershon is apparently the father of neurogastroenterology, the science behind the "brain" that resides in the digestive system. This second brain is just like the first one, being composed of the same types of cells and using the same neurotransmitters. Consequently both brains are affected by many of the same drugs and diseases, even though they operate largely independently.

It's not an easy read, as Gershon is not afraid to use heavy-duty technical lingo in his detailed descriptions of experiments and theories. He also has a weird sense of humor that actually grew on me as I read the book. One of the sections is entitled "Everything has its place, especially gastric juice".

I notice that the hardcover edition of the book was advertised as a description of "the scientific basis of gut instinct." Thankfully that's not true, nor does the book provide anything that could possibly be of interest to fans of alternative medicine. Buyers should also be aware that the book does not contain any advice about which diets or treatments might be effective for the various diseases that affect the digetstive system. Instead, the book provides a very interesting description of the kinds of intellectual challenges that motivate scientists to investigate complex biological phenomena, even those that are somewhat smelly.

A wonderful and fascinating read...........2006-03-17

Michael Gershon is a gifted writer and equally gifted scientist. He takes the world of the gut and explains its workings in great detail eliminating historical misunderstandings and common misperceptions along the way.

I thought his development of the history of the branches of the nervous system was fascinating and demonstrated some of the politics and the effects of unexamined assumptions on how scientific discoveries are interpreted.

There is an extensive section on the use of various toxins to discover how the nervous system was organized and this section is developed very logically and includes a lot of interesting scientific history. Sometimes, it included more than I wanted to know, but I must say he was very comprehensive.

This book is also well organized in thorough in every respect. The tour of the GI is well done and includes all the important things one would want to know.

I have a very good background in biology and for me this book was a pleasant read. However, it is not always an easy read and it certainly doesn't read like a dime store novel. It is a book that is intellectually challenging, but fascinating and relatively easy to read considering the scope and depth of the topic.

This is not a quick fix manual for people with gastrointestinal ailments. It is more about how the gut is built and how it works. It would be useful book for someone with gastrointestinal ailments for understanding this part of the body, but the emphasis is not on disease mechanisms and treatments. If that is the only thing you are looking for, then this book may not be for you.

I think we all admit tacitly at some level that the gut has some sort of special relation to the rest of the body in terms of sophisticated neurological processing. I think this is revealed by common sayings such as "I have butterflies in my stomach" or "I had a gut feeling something was wrong." Gershon presents a plausible explanation for the sophistication of the GI tract that sheds some light on why these expressions may have entered our lexicon.

If you are interested in the mind-body connection, this is also a useful book. It reopens many questions about the gut and how it interacts or works independently of the brain. It is great food for thought that reopens a lot of questions about how the body is organized and the relationship of the brain to the internal workings of the body. I'm not saying it's revolutionary, but it certainly challenges the current paradigm in some significant ways.

Some interesting facts that Gershon bring up is that the vast majority of serotonin is made in the gut, not the brain. He also points out that if the vagus nerve is cut, the bowel can still go on functioning without input from the brain. He also talks about the density of neurons in the gut and how no other area of the body except the brain can match it. These facts have interesting implications and lead one to formulate some interesting questions for reflection.

The Second Brain : The Scientific Basis of Gut Instinct and a Groundbreaking New Understanding of Nervous Disorders of the Stomach and Intestines

Average customer rating:

very fascinating, but no index and no glossary
The prognosis for the person taking Prozac is troubling.
In the author's own words: this is not a "how to" document.
This book needs an index.
A modern primer on the digestive tract, and more

The Second Brain : The Scientific Basis of Gut Instinct and a Groundbreaking New Understanding of Nervous Disorders of the Stomach and Intestines
Michael D. Gershon
Manufacturer: Harper Collins Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Amazon.com

Did you ever tell someone that they think with their stomach? Then you're on the cutting edge of scientific thought, according to researcher Michael D. Gershon. The title of his book The Second Brain refers to the hundred million nerve cells in and around our guts that often act entirely independently of the dictator inside our heads. This isn't so bad--there are some meals we'd rather not have to think about eating, much less digesting. Gershon tells us the stories of his development into a scientist, his determination to promote neurogastroenterology as a legitimate field of research, and the nature of "the brain gone south," all with humor and aplomb.

Though not for the overly squeamish (after all, even if Gershon were to pull his punches, his subject still carries traces of old taboos), The Second Brain is a lively and invigorating read. The illustrations are superb and well labeled; this complements the text, which ranges from clinical to personal, as when the author details the events leading to his mother's tragic death following unnecessary surgery for an ulcer. The interactions between the enteric nervous system and digestion, emotion, and disease are not simple, but Gershon's patient prose explains everything in terms any interested layperson can understand.

As in the best scientific works, The Second Brain informs and inspires, surprising the reader with unexpected complexities and mysteries arising in such a seemingly primitive venue. It makes excellent after-dinner reading. --Rob Lightner

Book Description

Dr. Michael D. Gershon's groundbreaking work clearly demonstrates that the human gut actually has a brain of its own. This remarkable scientific breakthrough offers fascinating proof that "gut instinct" is biological, a function of the second brain.

An alarming number of people suffer from heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea, constipation, or related problems. Often thought to be caused by a "weakness" of the mind, these conditions may actually be a reflection of a disorder in the second brain. The second brain, located in the bowel, normally works smoothly with the brain in the head, enabling the head-brain to concentrate on the finer pursuits of life while the gut-brain attends to the messy business of digestion. A breakdown in communication between the two brains can lead to stomach and intestinal trouble, causing sufferers great abdominal grief andtoo oftenlabeling them as neurotic complainers.

Dr. Gershon's research into the second brain provides understanding for those who suffer from gut-related ailments and offers new insight into the origin, extent, and management.

The Second Brain is the culmination of thirty years of research. It is an extraordinary contribution to the understanding of gastrointestinal illnesses, as well as a fascinating glimpse into hoe our gut really works.

Customer Reviews:

very fascinating, but no index and no glossary.......2005-05-27

The enteric nervous system or the nervous system of the gut is what this book is about. It's not an easy read for people who have no background in science. Before reading this book, one should have a good understanding of ligands, receptors and neurotransmitters because the author doesn't do a very good job of explaining the basics. What makes this book especially difficult to read is the fact that it's highly technical and he uses medical jargon throughout yet he doesn't have a glossary nor an index. With that said, I think there's a tremendous amount of fascinating information in this book worth pondering on. People who are interested in science and medicine and like to read about how scientists go through the process of learning and discovery should read this book.

The main part started out how the author struggled to prove that serotonin was a neurotransmitter in the bowel. Then he went on to explain some of the complexities of the enteric nervous system in detail while asking questions, making more discoveries and explaining what others in the field are doing. I was mostly focused on the beautiful details describing the enteric nervous system. I don't think people realize (or care) that the entire lining of the digestive system from the esophagus all the way to the anus is lined with well over 100,000,000 cells that not only receive information but secrete chemicals that communicate with other parts of the body as well. The mere fact that there are more nerve cells in the bowel than in the spine tells us that digesting food is no simple matter. The enteric nervous system is highly complex because it has to coordinate and process all kinds of information not to mention chemically analyse its contents and secreting the right kinds of chemicals in the exact amounts to digest food and to propel it though the intestines. The propulsion of fecal matter in the rectum mainly just involves the enteric system and muscles of the colon, but it communicates with the spine and brain to coordinate its activities. Sever a connection between the three and you can lose your defecatory and urinary reflex or lose control over them completely. There is a storehouse of other interesting information in this book. One other interesting fact brought up in the book is that the surface membrane on one square centimeter of human intestine is enough ot cover a doubles tennis court. I imagine that the entire surface membrane lining of all of the intestines would at least cover a football field.

Reading books like this helps me to keep things in their proper contexts by making me ponder on the perfection of God's creation. When we go on exile from the world for a while, it makes us better equipped to tackle the problems of everyday life.

The prognosis for the person taking Prozac is troubling........1999-10-29

I was interested in Gershon's hypothesis about the connection between taking the antidepressant Prozac and the potential for chronic neurological bowel disfunction. At first I was swayed, thinking that, yes, the receptors for serotonin would be desensitized by the longer exposure to the serotonin molecules, due to the blocking of the re-uptake receptor by Prozac. He then freightens the Prozac dependant person with the hypothesis that their natural production of serotonin will decline and further that ultimately, the person has to look forward to an irritable bowel followed by bowel immobility...all due to Prozac's action. What I am wondering is this, are these unfortunate effects of Prozac due to the blocking of the re-uptake receptors or is it due to a presumed increase of concentration of serotonin in the enteric nervous system? If the depressed person is on Prozac because of low seratonin levels, then it seems like their levels of seratonin would just be brought up to normal, thus relieving some of their symptoms of depression but not necessarily causing a surplus in the neurotransmitter, serotonin. I wish the author would more clearly explain this and also I would like it if he would explain how the blood/circulatory system relates to the transport of neurotransmitters in both nervous systems.

In the author's own words: this is not a "how to" document........1999-09-17

It's nice to get your colleagues to write glowing reviews, but this book only provides hope and no help to the sufferer of chronic bowel problems. It contains excessive extraneous information (the author is allergic to chickens and uses a Macintosh computer), as if you wanted to know. Dr. Gershon admits "I have cured no one in my lifetime," and that he can still hear his beloved father asking him the question: "What disease is that going to cure?" Gershon says he always had trouble answering that question, and he will leave readers with more questions than answers as well. It's hard to believe this is a serious book since it provides no index, even though published by a major book house. One wonders why someone would write a book only to disappoint readers?

This book needs an index........1999-05-04

This book is timely. Example: amusing comments on the "antacid wars" on TV. The book is crammed with astounding information and remains readable. However, if one forgets what the LES is, the only way to find out is by flipping pages. The lack of an index is inexcusable. The editors should hang their heads in shame. I'm going to wait until they turn on their computers and compile an index before I buy this book. Too bad!

A modern primer on the digestive tract, and more.......1999-04-22

The long tradition of first rate scientists who are also talented writers, such as Lewis Thomas and James Watson, is happily continued in "The Second Brain". Gershon describes the operation of the gut for the layman, managing to strike just the right tone without insulting one's intelligence or oversimplifying. The book, frequently witty and amusing, is part memoir and part up-to-date primer on the operation of the gut. A particular triumph is a description of a shootout at a scientific meeting in Cincinnati where Gershon's theories about the importance of seratonin were debated.

Later sections of the book become quite technical, such as the seven (?) different varieties of seratonin receptors described in Chapter 9. This is very detailed, but the problem here is that the very complex mechanism that nature has built does not satisfy our wish for simplicity. Gershon tries to show what the scientific struggle to gain understanding is like on the front lines as simple hypotheses often don't work out and complications multiply.

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Autonomic ganglia are the sites of synaptic transmission in the peripheral nervous system. They are widely believed to function only as relay stations in the efferent pathways which control the vasculature and viscera. Autonomic Ganglia, the sixth volume of the Autonomic Nervous System book series, aims to challenge this view by reviewing aspects of our current understanding of the structure and integrative functions of ganglionic neurones and their connections. Recent research has concentrated on the membrane biophysics of synaptic transmission, the specification of functional pathways, connectivity with other central and peripheral neurones, the distribution and role of neuropeptides and the long and short-term modulation of autonomic signalling.

Autonomic Neuroeffector Mechanisms (Autonomic Nervous System)

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Autonomic Neuroeffector Mechanisms (Autonomic Nervous System)
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Clinical Neuroanatomy: A Neurobehavioral Approach
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Nerve growth factor and its antiserum papers presented at the symposium entitled Nerve Growth Factor and its Antiserum, held at University College, London, 15-16 April 1971;

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Nerve growth factor and its antiserum papers presented at the symposium entitled Nerve Growth Factor and its Antiserum, held at University College, London, 15-16 April 1971;

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Book Description

Golf: Steps to Success provides more than 80 drills and practice techniques that will help you raise your golf game to a new level and lower your scores. The book teaches how to perform skills correctly and put them in practice out on the course.

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Part of the highly popular Steps to Success Activity Series, this book features complete learning progressions to take you from basic to intermediate skills. As you climb each step, you'll become a more confident and capable golfer.

Golf: Steps to Success
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Wow! It's Got it All!

Best book to improve your golf!

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Customer Reviews:

Wow! It's Got it All!.......2005-11-06

I picked up this book by Paul Schempp and Peter Mattsson one week, and the next week went out and shot a 78! It's got excellent advice and pointers (and even wisdom) for all skill levels, from beginner to expert. Both Schempp and Mattsson have loads of experience, both playing and teaching, that they pack into this inexpensive book. Add it to your library and/or make it a gift to someone you know who's a student of the game.

Best book to improve your golf!.......2005-08-23

I am a relatively new golfer and found this book by Paul Schempp and Peter Mattsson. It is the single most important item I have found to help me improve my golf game. They clearly explain every detail about the play of the game and include specific drills to help you become a much better player.
It is a must for any novice, as well as seasoned golfers!!

Advanced Golf: Steps to Success (Steps to Success Activity Series)

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