Modern medicine mirrors the Donguibogam concept of the spleen and stomach through the gut-brain axis. Far beyond a simple digestive organ, our gut communicates constantly with the brain through numerous nerve cells and hormones, functioning as a second brain. Appetite is the direct result of this communication. Ghrelin secreted by the stomach signals hunger to the brain to stimulate appetite, while leptin released from adipocytes signals satiety to indicate the body has had enough. When food enters the small intestine, it secretes hormones such as cholecystokinin to support digestion and induce satiety. These signals travel back and forth between the gut and brain along the vagus nerve, precisely regulating appetite. However, chronic stress introduces interference into this delicate signaling. Under stress, the body activates sympathetic nerves as part of the fight-or-flight response, prompting the secretion of stress hormones like cortisol. This reduces blood flow and energy to the digestive system, slowing intestinal motility, suppressing digestive enzyme secretion, and increasing intestinal mucosal permeability, which impairs overall digestive function. It functions as if the body has decided an emergency is underway and eating must pause. Furthermore, our digestive tract houses the gut microbiota. These microorganisms produce over 90% of serotonin and influence neurotransmitters like GABA, playing an essential role in appetite and mood regulation. Irregular eating habits, diets dominated by processed foods, and antibiotic overuse disrupt this balance, leading to gut dysbiosis that impairs gut-brain communication and can trigger loss of appetite, dyspepsia, or mood disorders. The state described in the Donguibogam as a weak spleen and stomach corresponds to these combined mechanisms: autonomic nervous system imbalance, gut dysbiosis, and endocrine disruption. Rather than brushing aside a poor appetite, it should be recognized as a corrective signal from the body's regulatory systems.
