gut-brain axis

noun

A complex, two-way communication network linking the central nervous system (brain) and the enteric nervous system (gut); involving neural, endocrine, immune, and microbial signals that influence mood, cognition, digestion, and stress response.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

noungut-brain axis (countable and uncountable, plural gut-brain axes)

plural gut-brain axes

  1. countableuncountablemedicineA complex, two-way communication network linking the central nervous system (brain) and the enteric nervous system (gut); involving neural, endocrine, immune, and microbial signals that influence mood, cognition, digestion, and stress response.
Cite this entry
APA

gut-brain axis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gut-brain%20axis

MLA

“gut-brain axis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gut-brain%20axis. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “gut-brain axis,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gut-brain%20axis.

Source: gut-brain axis on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.