[.ca] The Second Brain: The Scientific Basis of Gut Instinct & ... (ISBN 0060930721)

Second brain holds clues for first brain problems:
I am a neurological development consultant who has read this book thoroughly and concur with the findings from a developmental point of view. I found this book a must read for anyone who has a developmentally challenged child or adult. In working with brain disorders and brain injuries, I always look to the bowel in the course of the examination because, 'if the bowel ain't happy, the brain ain't either!' There is so much more that is not in this book about the bowel that affects the brain that it would take several volumes of books to elaborate on what is already known today. If you or a loved one suffer from psychological ailments, brain disorders, IBS, or even just common irregularities of the bowel,reading this book is an appropriate start to gain an understanding of basic biological processes of the bowel. Also recommended: Biological Treatments for Autism, Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Management,

Readable Science, not New Age twaddle!:
This is a serious enteric neurology text (the first!) and an entertaining memoir rolled into one. Dr. Gershon is passionate about the brain in the bowel and he (and his editor) have done a superlative job of explaining some very complicated neurochemistry. I haven't even read through to the practical advice section and I think it's superb already! Highly recommended not only for those with unhappy guts, but for anyone who's ever been curious about the digestive system, how it works and how it evolved to have such a big and independent control system.

Not just my gut feeling!:
A compelling informative guide to the concept of "Big brain and little brain". This book is super And its not just my gut feeling. Readers may also look up "Natural Stomach Care", and "Your Gut Feelings".

Intricate,highly recommended story of medical research:
Gershon's book is really two books in one: a memoir or exposition of all that is involved in medical research (including the politics), and a detailed explanation of the neuroscience and neurochemistry of the enteric nervous system (e.g., digestive tract). This is not a simple book to read -- it takes concentration, and I certainly had my highlighter out to draw attention to several terms or ideas I wanted to recall. The narrative can get fairly scientific, but to add to your understanding the author uses commonplace allegories or diagrams -- and just when it starts to get too "heavy", he gives you a break by turning autobiographical, telling stories about his research community that are very interesting. This isn't a textbook, but rather a lengthy exposition on a man's search for scientific truth. I am a scientist myself and often wonder what draws an individual to a focused "obsession" with a single idea, and Gershon in his pursuit of knowledge through experimentation and conceptualization gave me insights into one type of scientific mind. The digestive system, via Gershon's work, is the source of neurotransmitters, so there is a substantial amount of information here for anyone interested in neurology, neuroscience, psychiatry, and of course the behavior of the digestive tract. This is not a book for anyone who has a digestive problem who wants a cure -- it is a book for understanding digestion and/or the nervous system. However, if you are interested in deep science, this is one of the best written and thorough books I've read.