The insights of Donguibogam align closely with modern medical understanding. The phrase exuberant stomach fire relates not only to local stomach heat, but also to autonomic nervous system hyperactivation, inflammatory responses driven by gut dysbiosis, and the resulting slowdown in intestinal motility that causes excessive water absorption and hardened stool. Under severe stress, the sympathetic nerve becomes hyperactive and blunts intestinal movements, which readily leads to constipation. Irregular meals and insufficient dietary fiber can likewise dry out the intestinal environment, producing hard stool.
On the other hand, weakness of the spleen and stomach corresponds in modern medicine to conditions like diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, malabsorption, or leaky gut syndrome involving a weakened intestinal mucosal barrier. When the balance between beneficial gut bacteria and harmful bacteria is disrupted by stress, poor diet, or excessive antibiotic use, digestive enzyme secretion declines, leading to poor digestion and nutrient absorption, and ultimately loose stool or diarrhea. The gut-brain axis is the neural circuit through which the gut and brain communicate closely. Emotional stress affects the brain, which then disrupts the regulation of intestinal motility, resulting in irregular bowel habits with alternating constipation and diarrhea. It is similar to a conductor losing tempo and throwing off the rhythm of intestinal motility. This condition is closely tied to autonomic nervous system dysregulation, particularly diminished parasympathetic nerve activity.
In addition, microscopic inflammation of the intestinal barrier and imbalances in the neurotransmitter serotonin significantly alter intestinal motility. The gut contains its own neural network, known as the enteric nervous system, earning it the label of a second brain. While it can operate independently without direct commands from the brain, it remains heavily influenced by mental states. Feelings of anxiety or low mood can therefore act directly on the gut and disrupt bowel regularity. Supporting digestion involves more than just eating gut-friendly foods; emotional stability and balanced daily habits remain essential because of how closely these systems are linked.
