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Neural Control: Three Digestive Phases

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State

Digestion runs through three neural phases: cephalic, beginning before food arrives, triggered by sight or smell; gastric, beginning once food enters the stomach; and intestinal, beginning once chyme reaches the intestine.

Show

Thinking about a favorite food can trigger cephalic-phase salivation before any food is present.

Watch for

All three phases overlap — the gastric phase builds on cephalic stimulation rather than starting fresh.