North to South: How Digestion Starts in the Brain
When most of us think about digestion, we picture the stomach or intestines. But in reality, digestion begins before food even touches your lips. This is often called the north-to-south process of digestion—starting in the brain (“north”) and moving step by step through the body toward elimination (“south”).
🌐 What Does “North to South” Mean?
The phrase is a simple way to remember that digestion is a downward flow:
Brain → sight, smell, anticipation of food
Mouth → chewing, saliva, enzymes
Stomach → acid and enzymes break down proteins
Small intestine → nutrient absorption
Large intestine → water absorption, microbiome, and elimination
Each step builds on the one before it. If the process doesn’t start smoothly in the brain, the rest of digestion can feel “off” all the way down.
🧠 Digestion Begins in the Brain
The digestive process actually starts with a shift in the nervous system. When you see, smell, or even think about food, your brain signals your body to get ready: saliva increases, gastric juices prepare to flow, and your stomach muscles prime themselves for action.
But here’s the catch: this only happens if your body feels safe and relaxed.
If you’re in “fight-or-flight” mode—rushed, stressed, or multitasking—your nervous system diverts blood away from the digestive tract and toward survival functions (like your muscles and heart). This means less saliva, less stomach acid, fewer enzymes, and ultimately, poor digestion.
🌿 Why Rest and Relaxation Matter
Instead of complicating digestion with endless food rules, sometimes the most profound step is the simplest: relax your brain before you eat.
When you take time to rest and settle, you signal your nervous system to switch into “rest-and-digest” mode. From there, your whole digestive system works more smoothly—without strain, discomfort, or wasted energy.
✨ Practical Tips for Brain-to-Gut Relaxation
Pause before meals. Even 3 deep breaths can shift your body into rest-and-digest mode.
Engage your senses. Notice the colors, smells, and textures of your food. This primes your brain to start the process.
Eat without multitasking. Put down your phone, close your laptop, and give eating your full attention.
Create ritual. Light a candle, set a plate, or say gratitude—it helps mark the transition from busyness to nourishment.
Rest after meals. A short walk or simply sitting quietly can help your body integrate food.
🌌 Final Reflection
Digestion isn’t just about what you eat—it’s about how your nervous system receives it. By focusing first on the brain and creating a state of relaxation, you lay the foundation for every step of digestion that follows.
So yes—sometimes the simplest advice is the truest: if digestion begins in the brain, then learning to rest, relax, and be present might be the most powerful digestive aid of all.