Happiness and Gut Health

DR. PALANIAPPAN MANICKAM in conversation with PURNIMA RAMAKRISHNAN on happiness and its influence on health. Dr. Pal is a gastroenterologist and public health advocate known for making complex medical topics accessible.

PR: How does gut health influence mental well-being, and can practices like meditation actively support a healthier digestive system?

PM: The gut is often called the second brain because it has over 500 million neurons that constantly talk to the brain through the vagus nerve. When the gut is inflamed or the microbiome is disturbed, it can affect mood, focus, and even lead to anxiety or depression. On the flip side, when you practice a meditation such as Heartfulness, you reduce stress hormones like cortisol, which directly calms your gut and allows healthy bacteria to flourish. So yes, a peaceful mind really does translate into a healthier gut.

PR: Intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating have gained popularity. From a gastroenterological perspective, what are the benefits of these practices, and are there any misconceptions about them?

PM: I’m a huge propagator of intermittent fasting and practice it myself. It works because it gives the gut time to rest and repair. It improves insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation, and even encourages the growth of good bacteria. But one big misconception is that fasting “detoxes” your body. That’s not true. Your liver and kidneys are already doing that job daily. Fasting is simply a tool, not a cure-all. It works best when combined with a balanced diet—not as a shortcut.

PR: Ayurveda and yoga have long emphasized digestion as the key to overall health. How does modern gastroenterology view this concept?  

PM: Ayurveda and yoga always viewed digestion as central to health. Modern gastroenterology agrees that digestion is linked to the heart, brain, and even immunity. Research is validating many of these age-old ideas with scientific data.

PR: With the rise of gut microbiome research, there’s a larger focus on personalized nutrition. Do you see a future where gut health advice is tailored to individuals based on their microbiome?

PM: The future of gastroenterology is personalization. With microbiome research, we’re learning that each person has a unique bacterial fingerprint. Soon, instead of generic diet advice, we’ll have customized nutrition plans based on your microbiome, genetics, and lifestyle. It’s not science fiction; research is being done on that. Right now, personalized nutrition based on gut microbiome isn’t that accurate, but with studies showing that gut health is the foundation of your overall health, the future is moving towards truly individualized gut care.

A joyful mindset doesn’t just make life better; 
it literally makes your gut healthier.

PR: You blend humor with education in your social media presence. How do you think laughter, joy, and a positive mindset contribute to gut health? 

PM: When you laugh, your stress hormones drop, blood circulation improves, and your gut muscles relax. A positive mood actually improves digestion and even pain tolerance. Laughter is medicine: That’s why I mix humor with education online. A joyful mindset doesn’t just make life better; it literally makes your gut healthier.

PR: Thank you, Dr. Pal!