Describe the gut/brain axis and why stimulation of the vagus nerve can be a useful part of treatment for digestive disorders linked to stress and anxiety.

Counselling and Neuroscience

Describe the gut/brain axis and why stimulation of the vagus nerve can be a useful part of treatment for digestive disorders linked to stress and anxiety.

300 words

3 – APA7 references

Week 2

Textbook reading:

• Cozolino, L. (2017). The neuroscience of psychotherapy: Healing the social brain (3rd Ed.). W.W. Norton & Company
  • Chapter 4: The human nervous system: From neurons to neural networks (pp. 57-74).

Non-textbook readings:

• Dana, D. (2018). The beginner’s guide to polyvagal theory. Rhythm of Regulation. https://www.rhythmofregulation.com/resources/Beginner’s%20Guide.pdf

Further reading:

• Breit, S., Kupferberg, A., Roster, G., & Hasler, G. (2018). Vagus nerve as modulator of the brain-gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders. Front Psychiatry, 9(44), 1-15. https://doi.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044
• Dana, D. (2018). The polyvagal theory in therapy: Engaging the rhythm of regulation. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Porges, S.W. (2017). The pocket guide to polyvagal theory: The transformative power of feeling safe. W.W. Norton & Company.