The Mind-Gut Connection: How the Hidden Conversation Within Our Bodies Impacts Our Mood, Our Choices, and Our Overall Health

There is sure no shortage of trade books on the microbiome and the list of books is bound to proliferate given the popularity of the topic. This book separates itself from the pack in a number of ways. First, Dr Mayer is one of the select group of scientists worldwide whose work has helped fuel research into what we know about the microbiome and its importance to our health. While other scientists saw painful medical disorders like irritable bowel syndrome as a “psychiatric disorder” Dr Mayer was conducting research showing that the brain has a far more powerful and complex role in tipping the balance between health and illness than just governing our mental wellbeing. Because he knows what he is talking about, the reader can feel confident that the material is accurate, trust worthy, and backed by evidence tested in rigorous laboratory settings. This is no small feat among the growing number of books chock full of half-truths, exaggerations, and outright inaccuracies that make it hard for the reader to separate fact from fiction. Second, Dr Mayer emphasizes the importance not only of how our mood, behaviors like our activity level and what we eat and drink, and mindset can impact the collection of microbes that colonize the human body but how our microbiome can in turn impact the brain. There is no other book available that covers so much terrain with such expertise and precision. Third, the book is an easy read, written in such an engaging and non-technical manner that even the person whose last science book was in 10th grade bio class will find this book a pleasure to read, making it far and away the best microbiome book out there for general audience. Finally, as a gifted clinician, Dr Mayer concludes the book with some “nuts and bolts” strategies for how to make simple lifestyle changes that put in practice what microbiome research tells us about how to optimize our health. A+: Recommend wholeheartedly -- Dr Jeffrey Lackner, Behavioral Medicine Clinic, University at Buffalo, SUNY

The Mind-Gut Connection is a fascinating and accessible exploration of how our gut and brain communicate and influence each other. We’ve heard the rumors, but Dr. Emeran Mayer weaves neuroscience, microbiology, and personal insight to show how gut health impacts the entire person. It affects emotions, decision-making, and overall well-being. The book is scientific and practical, offering compelling research alongside actionable tips for improving gut health. If you enjoy learning and mental health is important to you-read this.

What brought me to this book? Multiple anxiety & panic attacks that led to vomiting and then diarrhea for days, as well as an inability to eat for days. This has happened five times in three months. This is the first time this has happened to me, and I am 35 years old. I also had gallbladder surgery last year (fall of 2024) because my gallbladder decided to quit its job and die (like I once wished I could do, however a discovery of bipolar disorder and getting this diagnosis [in summer of 2024] has helped to discourage such dire thoughts. I've had an interesting, exciting, what-the-heck-is-going-on last two years... Anyways, somehow all of that led me to this book. I am a beginner in this sort of study. I started learning about the digestive system after my surgery mentioned above. There are a lot of reviews on this book and they suggest that if you're already well-informed on this topic, you might want to look elsewhere. However, since I am a beginner, I found this book to be informative and helpful in learning more about my body, my digestive system, and how it communicates with the brain. I think the author did a good job simplifying information, though it was still sometimes a lot to take in. There are a lot of words that I didn't know, and now I do. (The wonders of reading! but I did have to look them up sometimes.) He also used a lot of analogies that helped me to understand how things work in a more simplified way. I did quite a bit of highlighting and note taking in case I want to refer back to this source. Speaking of sources, after reading some reviews, it's correct that he does not include footnotes or such, which could be incredibly beneficial to some who are wanting to know where he got his details. Since I am just beginning this kind of study, I have to admit I didn't care as much. I do plan to take simple steps (probiotics, kombucha, yogurt, veggies, etc.) that are recommended in this book (to diversify my microbiome basically) and see if it helps. I'm my own experiment. Wish me luck!

AWESOME, what a guide!

Important info for everyone. Better gut health helps keep better health.

Synopsis - the bacteria in your digestive system play a large and underappreciated role in both your gut health and in your overall health; take care of them. While an enjoyable and colorful read, this book has several problems with it. First, the author draws many "conclusions" based upon the work of published animal studies even though in he also admits that the neurological systems of animals and humans are considerably different. Sometimes he admits that his conclusions are just hypotheticals but more commonly goes for the sensational claims to wow the layreader. Second, the books suffers from sloppy editing. A typical example is on page 208 where Mayer says, "This helps explain the fact that infants who are not breastfed have fewer bifidobacteria in their stool than formula-fed infants." Other editing errors are buried in the often contradictory science-speak - I'm sure a biochemist would have a field day here. His discussion of the neurotransmitter GABA on pages 141-142 is particularly wishy-washy. Third, the book is light on novel recommendations. The concluding remarks on page 284: maximize regular intake of naturally fermented foods and probiotics, cut down on animal fat, avoid processed food, eat smaller servings, be mindful of prenatal nutrition, reduce stress, avoid eating when sad or depressed, enjoy social aspects of food, and listen to your gut. Bottom line, a fun read but lots of book-selling science claims without many actionable recommendations.

i wish everyone would read this, even if they're not currently suffering from digestive problems, the issues with our food production, modern stressors, and the connection to our gut microbiome is so important and enlightening and really does affect all of us in ways modern medicine is barely recognizing as valid, in recent years. this book is well-written by an actual doctor that knows even pharmaceuticals aren't also the solution, but without being overly preachy/judgmental about the choices we all face to improve our gut health and life. it's science-driven with a good set of resources but written in a way that makes the content engaging for everyone with even the slightest interest in the intricate way our mind and body interact with our food and external environment. highly recommend!

This book is a must-read. It's no secret that our medical system is suffering. The reasons are multi-factorial. But what Dr. Mayer's book illuminates is that a new paradigm for understanding how our bodies function (and malfunction) is overdue. Once we understand that the brain, gut and bacteria are in communication, the construct of specialties of medicine based on body part or system is outdated. As Dr. Mayer so aptly states, our current system of medicine is based on a post-industrial age concept of a machine with parts that go bad. Hypertension? Off to the cardiologist. Abdominal pain? Gastroenterologist. The overhaul will require that we adopt a holistic perspective, that the communication between systems and organs is as important as the systems and organs themselves. This mandate is no different than the one for our society as a whole. As a recently hired physician at UCLA, never having heard of Dr. Mayer, I saw his book on the shelf of a colleague. Its name appealed to me and I ordered it that night. To say I was excited to see my personal long-held philosophies in print, validated by years of Dr. Mayer's research and experience, was an understatement. Fast forward six months, I am now exploring collaboration with Dr. Mayer and others with the intention of researching the mind-gut-microbiome connection with eating disorders. Our concepts must evolve, and Dr. Mayer's book points us in the right direction.