Safety & Survival: The Gut-Brain Axis

Safety & Survival: The Gut-Brain Axis is organized by Healthy Seminars and will be held on Apr 13, 2026.

Description:
This 2-hour lecture will look at the ideas of the Gut-brain axis and Poly-vagal theory through the lens of Channel Theory. We will discuss how acupuncture may be used to downregulate the sympathetic nervous system and deeply support the patient’s ability to build a more effective relationship between the gut and the brain. We will consider the idea that that patients with chronic digestive disorders are struggling to feel safe in the world and are therefore unable to “digest” life. Focusing on supporting the functions of the middle jiao can help people to think more clearly and make better lifestyle choices.

Goals and Objectives:

• Students will learn the relationship between survival and habituated behavior and how that can negatively impact lifestyle choices and emotional well-being.
• Students will explore the relationship between the 3 levels of qi, the triune brain and poly-vagal theory for diagnosing imbalances of the gut-brain axis.
• Students will learn about the chronic intractable conditions that are caused by Gu syndrome and how to approach it clinically.
• Students will learn to recognize the relationship between the gut and the brain when patients are possessed by Gu/Gui.