Emily Alway1,2,3,7, Naama Reicher1,2,7 and Diego V. Bohórquez1,2,3,4,5,6 1Laboratory of Gut Brain Neurobiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710; USA; 2Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710; USA; 3Department of Neurobiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710; USA; 4Department of Pathology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710; USA; 5Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710; USA; 6Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710; USA Corresponding author: diego.bohorquezduke.edu

↵7 These authors contributed equally to this work.

Abstract

The study of biological mechanisms, while crucial, cannot fully explain complex phenomena like the instinct to eat. The mind–body connection, as exemplified by the concept of “voodoo death,” highlights the profound influence of belief and cultural context on physiology. Indigenous knowledge systems further emphasize the interconnectedness of humans with their environment. Recent discoveries in gut–brain communication reveal the intricate neural circuits that drive our visceral desires, but a holistic approach that integrates both physiological mechanisms and the subjective experience of life, informed by diverse cultural perspectives, will be essential to truly understand what it means to be alive.