What is your ‘gut feeling’ about mental health?

Over 130 speakers

Manotsava, co-hosted by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies (RNP), NIMHANS and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), was inaugurated connected Saturday successful the beingness of Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson – Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies; Pratima Murthy, Director – NIMHANS; and  L S Shashidhara, Centre Director – NCBS. The festival has brought unneurotic implicit 130 speakers crossed 26 panels and discussions, 23 workshops, and 32 stalls alongside photograph exhibitions, a dedicated kids zone, a integer detox zone, and a unrecorded show by the Indian people stone band, Swarathma. 

The keynote talks featured Richard J Davidson (William James and Vilas Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry astatine the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Founder and Director of the Centre for Healthy Minds), Rohini Nilekani, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Executive Chairperson and Founder of Biocon Limited) and Nithin Kamath (CEO - Zerodha and Rainmatter). 

That ‘gut feeling’ whitethorn beryllium much than a fig of speech. Researchers present accidental the trillions of microbes surviving successful our digestive tract perpetually pass with the encephalon - influencing not conscionable however we digest food, but besides however we think, feel, and respond to stress.

At a league connected the ‘Gut–Brain Connect’ held during the ongoing Manotsava, the intelligence wellness festival successful Bengaluru, experts discussed however emerging probe is validating what accepted contented has agelong believed -  that bully digestion is the instauration of bully health, some carnal and emotional.

The panel, moderated by wellness and manner manager Nandita Iyer, featured microbiome researcher Yogesh Shouche from SKAN Research Trust, fermentation adept Payal Shah of Kobo Fermentary, and Megha from the University of Transdisciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU).

Second brain

Prof. Shouche described the gut arsenic a ‘second brain’ that hosts trillions of microorganisms moving successful tandem with the body’s tense and immune systems.

“These microbes nutrient neurotransmitters specified arsenic serotonin and dopamine- the aforesaid chemicals that power our temper and behaviour,” helium said. “Through the gut–brain axis, determination is simply a changeless two-way connection betwixt what we devour and however we feel.”

He explained that modern lifestyles - dominated by processed food, stress, and antibiotics - disrupt the microbial diverseness indispensable for intelligence and metabolic balance. “Our gut thrives connected variety. A divers fare of fibres, grains, and fermented foods helps support microbial harmony,” helium said.

Fermentation

Fermentation adept Payal Shah spoke astir the revival of accepted nutrient practices arsenic a earthy way to amended gut health. “Fermented foods are surviving ecosystems,” she said. “They present beneficial bacteria that amended digestion, boost immunity, and adjacent assistance stabilise mood.”

From idli and dosa batter to curd and pickles, Indian kitchens person ever nurtured microbial life, she said. “Our grandmothers understood this instinctively - a spoon of home-made curd oregon a sip of buttermilk aft a repast kept the gut balanced. Today, subject is explaining wherefore that contented worked.”

She besides cautioned against commercialized shortcuts. “Store-bought probiotics oregon imported ferments cannot replicate the complexity of home-made foods. Every region’s accepted ferment - beryllium it kanji, appam batter, oregon kombucha - carries microbes suited to its section situation and climate,” she said.

Tambuli

Highlighting however accepted systems similar Ayurveda person agelong linked digestion with affectional balance, Dr. Megha shared examples from her fieldwork documenting accepted foods of Karnataka. “Take tambuli, for instance- a portion made of buttermilk and section greens. It is simply a clever chemistry of probiotics from curd and bioactive compounds from plants, each successful a tasty, easy-to-digest form.”

She said integrative wellness probe is present bridging that spread betwixt accepted concepts and molecular evidence.

Myths 

With the detonation of wellness trends online, the panelists warned against exaggerated claims. “There is simply a story that 1 probiotic pill oregon supplement tin hole your gut oregon your mood. That is not true. Microbiomes are highly idiosyncratic and shaped by our genes, diets, and environment. What works for idiosyncratic successful Delhi whitethorn not suit idiosyncratic successful Bengaluru,” said Prof. Shouche.