Your Second Brain
Inside the Gut–Microbiome–Brain Conversations
Overview
⏱️Schedule: Doors 18:30 → Talk 19:00→ Q&A → Mingle
🌐Language: English
Your gut has been called your “second brain” – and not just because it reacts when you’re stressed or in love. Trillions of microbes live in your intestines, constantly sending signals to your nervous system and immune system. Together, they form what scientists call the gut–microbiome–brain axis: a two-way communication system where what happens in your gut can influence mood, behaviour and disease, and vice versa.
In this talk, a microbiome researcher from Charité takes us inside that conversation. What exactly is the gut–microbiome–brain axis? How do microbes, nerves, hormones and immune signals actually talk to each other? Which diseases are linked to this axis – and where is the line between solid science and hype?
We’ll also look at everyday life: food, stress, sleep, medication, fermented products, “gut health” trends on social media. What really shapes a healthy gut ecosystem? What are probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics – and do they do what the labels promise? Finally, we’ll talk about the limits of current research: how far are we from truly personalised microbiome-based treatments for brain and body diseases?
This will be a clear, myth-busting evening about your second brain, aimed at curious non-scientists – no biology degree required.
Together, we’ll explore
What is the gut–microbiome–brain axis (GMBA)?
How your gut, microbiome and brain communicate with each other through nerves, hormones and immune signals.
When the axis goes wrong
Diseases and conditions in which the GMBA is involved, and what we currently know (and don’t know) about these links.
What shapes your gut ecosystem
Diet, stress, sleep, medications and lifestyle factors that affect the axis – plus key tips for supporting intestinal health in daily life.
Probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics
What each of these actually is, how they differ, and what the evidence says about when they might help.
Hype vs reality
The main limitations of the GMBA research field and how far we really are from personalised microbiome interventions to treat disease.
Speaker
Dr. Laura Díaz
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Dr. Laura Díaz is a postdoctoral researcher at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, where she studies how the gut microbiome communicates with the immune system and the brain. Her work focuses on the gut–microbiome–brain axis and how changes in this system contribute to disease. She is passionate about making microbiome science accessible and helping people navigate between solid evidence and wellness hype.