Imagine that your thoughts, cravings—even your emotions—aren’t entirely your own. That they’re being driven by trillions of microscopic organisms living inside you. It sounds like science fiction, but in Episode 599 of Passion Struck, Dr. Steven Gundry explains why this is scientific fact.
Dr. Gundry, a former cardiothoracic surgeon turned gut health expert, joined me to discuss his new book The Gut-Brain Paradox) and the profound connection between your digestive system and your mental state. As he puts it, "We are passengers on a bus driven by our microbiome—and they’ve been at the wheel a lot longer than we have."
For full show notes:
Key Takeaways:
- Your Gut Runs the Show: Dr. Gundry explains how trillions of bacteria in your gut send messages that shape your thoughts, cravings, and emotional states.
- Leaky Gut Is Everywhere: If you’re battling fatigue, autoimmune disease, or mental fog, there’s a high chance you have a leaky gut—and it's reversible.
- Food as Medicine: Changing what you eat, including eliminating certain lectins and processed foods, can reverse chronic conditions like Parkinson’s, anxiety, and more.
- Microbes vs. Free Will: The bacteria in your gut may be influencing your decisions more than your conscious mind.
- Beyond SSRIs: Many antidepressants work by altering the microbiome, not just serotonin levels—a strong argument for gut-first mental health care.
Connect with Dr. Steven Gundry: https://drgundry.com/)
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**Next on Passion Struck:**In the next episode of Passion Struck, John sits down with Anne Marie Anderson, an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, sports journalist, and leadership expert. Anne Marie has spent years breaking barriers in sports media, navigating high-stakes environments, and coaching top athletes and executives on leadership, resilience, and communication. In our conversation, we'll dive into the mental frameworks of high performers, the art of storytelling, and how to build confidence in any field.
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