Well! Our skin, brain and gut are all linked via our nervous system, which is why stress can have such a profound affect on our bodies, with symptoms coming out in our skin.
Our gut contains 500 million of the 100 billion neurons (the cells found in the brain and central nervous system) which tell our bodies how to behave. These 500 million neurons are connected to our brain through our nerves in our nervous system. The most pertinent in this context being the vagus nerve.
The vagus nerve is one of the biggest nerves connecting the gut and brain, sending signals both from the brain to the gut and vice vesra. Our gut and brain are also connected through neurotransmitters, many of these neurotransmitters are produced by the gut cells and the trillions of microbes that live there. Interestingly, 95% of seretonin is produced in the intestines, and as we know, serotonin stabilises mood, feelings of well-being and increases happiness. Gut microbes also produce neurotransmitters, which control feelings of fear and anxiety and have the ability to increase our stress levels.
The vagus nerve functions contribute to the autonomic nervous system, which is made up of two halves, the sympathetic (fight or flight) and the parasympathetic (rest and digest). As a whole, the autonomic nervous system controls functions such as:
- The heart
- Body temperature
- Breathing
- Digestion
- Sensation
…and connects to your heart, liver, sweat glands, skin, and even the interior muscles of the eye.
Skin conditions like acne, eczema or rosacea to name a few, can be the external visible conditions of stress related illnesses, due hormones such as cortisol compromising the health and integrity of our skin.
Stress hormones divert energy away from non-emergency functions like digestion, reproduction, and the immune system, leading to an imbalance of hormones in our bodies. This disrupts the production of seretonin, which can have a negative effect on our overall feelings of wellbeing and self-esteem.