Despite advances in scientific research, the stomach remains a subject of mystery and intrigue. After all, it’s nearly impossible to ignore its gurgles and growls. Some cultural understanding of the gut has changed too—from an unruly being that must be fed and placated, to a garden ecosystem that is to be nourished in order to flourish.
And if you’re a frequent listener of Science Friday, you’re familiar with the gut’s microbiome—the constellation of trillions of microbes thriving in our bodies. And that the stomach has some of the same neuroreceptors as the brain, which has earned it the nickname of the “second brain.”
Ira talks with Dr. Elsa Richardson, author of Rumbles: A Curious History of the Gut and co-director of the Centre for the Social History of Health and Healthcare at University of Strathclyde in Scotland. They discuss the changing cultural and scientific understanding of the gut, including the discovery of the enteric nervous system and Victorian-era physician Sir William Arbuthnot Lane’s obsession with curing constipation.
Further Reading
- Listen to an interview with Dr. Richardson and other experts about the gut-brain connection via Connecticut Public.
- Learn more about the The Centre for the Social History of Health and Healthcare in Glasgow.
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Segment Guests
Elsa Richardson
Dr. Elsa Richardson is the author of Rumbles: The Curious History of the Gut, and co-director of the Centre for the Social History of Health and Healthcare at
Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland.
Segment Transcript
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@Shoshannah_BuxShoshannah Buxbaum is a producer for Science Friday. She’s particularly drawn to stories about health, psychology, and the environment. She’s a proud New Jersey native and will happily share her opinions on why the state is deserving of a little more love.
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@iraflatowIra Flatow is the host and executive producer of Science Friday. His green thumb has revived many an office plant at death’s door.