Do You Have a Hidden Sense in Your Gut?
We often think of the five senses as the only ways we experience the world: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. But science is beginning to reveal something remarkable: a “hidden sense” in the gut that may directly shape how the brain perceives hunger, fullness, and overall well-being.
Neuropods and the “Neurobiotic Sense”
A groundbreaking study from Duke University discovered that special gut cells, known as neuropods, can detect bacterial signals such as flagellin and transmit them to the brain in real time.¹ This means the gut does far more than digest food. It acts almost like an internal antenna, monitoring microbial activity and sending instant messages to the nervous system.
Researchers have begun calling this the “neurobiotic sense.” Unlike traditional satiety signals that take minutes or hours to register, these microbial messages may influence appetite and satiety within seconds.² This helps explain why gut health is so closely linked to brain function, mood, and long-term resilience against conditions such as obesity and neurodegenerative disease.³
Practical Takeaways
• Gut signals and appetite: The brain does not only respond to calories. It responds to microbial cues that regulate satiety and cravings.
• The importance of microbial diversity: A diverse, balanced microbiome increases the likelihood of healthy signaling between gut and brain.⁴
• Everyday support: Fiber-rich foods, fermented products, exercise, and restorative sleep help maintain gut integrity and optimize these signals.⁵
The Micillic & Cerenovex Connection
At Micillic, we are fascinated by how neurobiotics can unlock these hidden pathways for brain and body health. Products like Cerenovex were developed to complement natural gut-brain communication by supporting microbial balance, reducing inflammation, and enhancing resilience. The discovery of neuropods and the neurobiotic sense adds compelling evidence that the gut may be much “smarter” than we once believed.
References:
1) https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aau6323
2) https://medschool.duke.edu/stories/newly-discovered-sixth-sense-links-gut-microbes-brain-real-time
3) https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physrev.00018.2018
