Gut Microbiota and Mental Health
- whereemotionsflow
- May 16
- 2 min read
By Mehr un Nisa
Introduction
The gut-brain axis describes the complex bidirectional communication system between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, which is vital for maintaining homeostasis. The gut brain axis is involved in a multitude of physiological processes including satiety, food intake, regulation of glucose and fat metabolism, insulin secretion and sensitivity, bone metabolism, and lifespan (Thakur et al., 2014).
Role
Research on the interaction between gut microbiota and the brain may have implications for our understanding of brain function, cognition, behavior, and mental health. The literature on gut microbiota and its role in the pathophysiology and potential treatment of mental disorders
has proliferated in recent years. Several neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, have been linked to the gut microbiota. The present findings discuss the promise and pitfalls of gut microbiota research in relation to mental health. The manipulation of intestinal microbes in animals has revealed connections between gut microbiota and both normal and pathological brain functions. Researchers aim to determine whether gut microbiota can be harnessed for the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. The links observed between an imbalance of gut microbiota and impaired behavioral and mental states in humans are correlational. It is therefore essential to establish cause and effect relationships. No distinct gut microbiota patterns linked to different mental disorders have yet been identified. Large-scale, longitudinal trials need to examine whether the gut microbiota is a valid therapeutic target for mental disorders and whether pre-clinical findings and initial results of intervention trials (e.g., administration of probiotics) are of clinical relevance (Lange et al., 2020).
Conclusion
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in mental well-being, and maintaining its integrity is essential for homeostasis. Alteration in the normal gut microbiota mediates the functional and behavioral changes in animals as well as in clinical studies. Modulation of the gut microbiota by therapeutic agents opens a new promising strategy for stress-related disorders, particularly in the aspects of functional GI disorders such as IBS. Probiotics have shown promising results in the management of anxiety and depression and there is a need to further explore the potential of probiotics as well as prebiotics for the management of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity. Further research is needed to explore the interaction between herbal medicine and the gut-brain axis. As probiotic use continues to grow rapidly, there is a need to determine the long-term safety of such therapeutic intervention (Thakur et al., 2014).
References
Thakur, A. K., Shakya, A., Husain, G. M., Emerald, M., & Kumar, V. (2014). Gut-microbiota and mental health: Current and future perspectives. Journal of Pharmacology & Clinical Toxicology, 2(1), 1016.
Lange, K. W., Lange, K. M., Nakamura, Y., & Kanaya, S. (2020). Is there a role of gut microbiota in mental health? Journal of Food Bioactives, 9.
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