eShop USA > Books > The Second Brain : The Scientific Basis of Gut Instinct and a Groundbreaking New Understanding of Nervous Disorders of the Stomach and Intestines
The Second Brain : The Scientific Basis of Gut Instinct and a Groundbreaking New Understanding of Nervous Disorders of the Stomach and Intestines
Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 612.32
EAN: 9780060182526
Edition: 1
ISBN: 0060182520
Label: HarperCollins
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 336
Publication Date: November 01, 1998
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: October 07, 1998
Studio: HarperCollins
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Editorial Review:
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
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
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - very fascinating, but no index and no glossary
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 ... Read More
Rating: - The prognosis for the person taking Prozac is troubling.
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 ... Read More
Rating:  - In the author's own words: this is not a "how to" document.
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 ... Read More
Rating:  - This book needs an index.
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!
Rating:  - A modern primer on the digestive tract, and more
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 ... Read More
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