Answer:The digestive and nervous systems are deeply intertwined through the gut-brain axis. The digestive tract possesses its own "second brain," the enteric nervous system (ENS), which independently controls functions like muscle movement and digestive secretions. This ENS constantly communicates with the central nervous system (CNS) via the vagus nerve and the sympathetic/parasympathetic systems, allowing the brain to influence digestion (e.g., stress can slow it) and the gut to influence the brain (e.g., irritation can affect mood). This bidirectional communication ensures efficient digestion and highlights how our gut health impacts our overall well-being.