When Your Three Brains Stop Talking (And How to Get Them Chatting Again)

We often think of the brain as the boss – the control centre making all the big decisions. But here’s the thing: your head brain isn’t running the show alone.

You actually have three brains – one in your head, one in your heart, and one in your gut. And yes, sometimes they argue. Your mind says “Be sensible”, your heart says “follow your dreams”, and your gut says “I just want to eat chocolate!”

Your gut, heart, and head each contain their own networks of neurons, chemical messengers and intelligence. And when they work in harmony, they have a profound effect on your physical and emotional wellbeing.

Each of these “brains” has its own intelligence, its own way of communicating, and its own influence on how you think, feel and function. When they’re in sync, life flows beautifully. When they’re not…well, that’s when we end up anxious, bloated, frazzled or snapping at people for no apparent reason.

Brain #1: The Head – Your Thinker
The one we all know and love (some of the time). It’s brilliant at analysing, planning and solving problems – but it can also be a bit of a drama queen. Too much overthinking and it hijacks the conversation, drowning out the quieter wisdom of your heart and gut.

A calm, nourished gut and a steady heart can help settle a noisy mind, which is why we sometimes need to eat something wholesome and take a few deep breaths before making big life decisions.

Brain #2: The Heart – Your Compass
The heart has around 40,000 neurons, meaning it can sense, feel and send information to the brain in your head. It’s the emotional centre – intuitive, empathic and wise.

When you feel “heartbroken”, that’s not just a metaphor. Your heart’s rhythm changes with your emotions, influencing everything from mood to blood pressure. The good news? You can bring it back into balance through simple practices like slow, heart-focused breathing – a kind of emotional reset button. And yes, it works better than scrolling through social media when you’re stressed. Promise!

Brain #3: The Gut – Your Foundation
The gut, home to 100 trillion microbes, most of which are on your side – think of them as your microscopic wellness team. They produce neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, communicate directly with the brain, and can even influence how you respond to stress.

When your gut’s unhappy, it sends out distress signals – bloating, fatigue, low mood, sugar cravings. When it’s thriving, you feel grounded, calm and energised.

The trick? Treat your microbes as kindly as you’d treat your friends: lots of plants, variety, fibre, hydration, exercise and calm, plus the occasional treat (they’re not purists either).

When the Three Brains Work Together
When your gut, heart and mind are in harmony, everything changes. You feel more resilient, your thoughts are clearer, and you bounce back from stress more easily. It’s what I call ‘whole body coherence’ – the difference between surviving and truly thriving.

How to Reconnect Your Three Brains
Here are a few simple ways to help your systems sync up again:

• Eat mindfully. Slow down, chew well, and enjoy real food.
• Breathe from your heart. Three slow breaths can change your whole state.
• Spend time in nature. Trees are excellent therapists.
• Notice your inner dialogue. Is your mind, heart or gut leading the conversation today?

And Here’s Where My Three Brains Course Comes In
In my 6-week Three Brains Course, I’ll guide you through simple, science-backed steps to strengthen the connection between your gut, heart and mind – so you can feel calmer, clearer, and more connected from the inside out.

Ready to connect?
If you’d like to know more or join the waitlist, I’d love to hear from you at hello@foodandforestwellbeing.co.uk.

With heartfelt warmth and gratitude,

Liz