Gut reactions: Scientists discover ‘second brain’ in the stomach. “Scientists are claiming to have discovered a second

brain – in the human stomach.

The breakthrough, involving experts in the US and

Germany, is believed to play a major part in the way

people behave.

This ‘second brain’ is made up of a knot of brain nerves

in the digestive tract. It is thought to involve around 100

billion nerve cells – more than held in the spinal cord.

Researchers believe this belly brain may save

information on physical reactions to mental processes

and give out signals to influence later decisions. It may

also be responsible in the creation of reactions such as

joy or sadness.” Ananova