The concept of worms mentioned in Donguibogam overlaps surprisingly well with various internal imbalance phenomena studied in modern medicine. Beyond simple physical parasitic infection, it can be interpreted as a concept encompassing dysbiosis in our gut microbial environment—that is, the microbiome—chronic inflammation states, and even premonitory symptoms of autoimmune disease.
Our body's intestine is more than just a digestive organ that digests food; it is called the 'second brain', where over 70% of immune cells reside, which produces neurotransmitters, and which constantly communicates with the brain. However, Westernized dietary habits, excessive use of antibiotics, and stress disrupt the gut microbial ecosystem by decreasing beneficial bacteria and proliferating harmful bacteria. The statement in Donguibogam that worms block qi and blood in the gut and cause illness aligns with modern medicine's explanation that gut dysbiosis triggers systemic inflammatory responses beyond gastrointestinal symptoms like indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.
Additionally, excessive proliferation of harmful bacteria in the gut can lead to leaky gut syndrome, which increases intestinal mucosal permeability. As undigested food remnants or bacterial toxins enter the bloodstream through gaps in the intestinal barrier, they can cause allergic reactions, skin breakouts, joint pain, chronic fatigue, and even neurological symptoms like brain fog throughout the entire body. This is consistent with Donguibogam's view that worms cause unexplained pain and asthenia.
Furthermore, chronic stress causes adrenal fatigue and worsens gut health by hindering intestinal motility and blood flow. This also connects with research findings showing that harmful bacteria proliferate more readily and the intestinal barrier can be damaged under stressful conditions. Donguibogam's description that worms dry up qi and blood and deplete our body fluids may also be an insight into the depletion of physical resources caused by chronic stress and inflammation. In fact, specific bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori cause gastric ulcers and cancer, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is also a representative uninvited guest inside the body that causes symptoms similar to enteritis. Donguibogam's insight that invisible entities gnaw away at our body was not mere superstition, but deep wisdom warning against various internal factors threatening the health of modern people.
