It’s life Captain, but not as we know it…
Every time I see new research on the gut-brain interaction and the role of bacteria, the image that always pops in to my head is a bridge on a cool spaceship being captained and controlled by cute, colourful ‘bugs’ :-)
As we are often reminded with this research, our gut is a bustling and thriving alien colony – trillions of bacteria from thousands of species, and many were here long before humans. They outnumber our human cells many, many times over.
Collectively, these microbial armies are known as the "microbiota" – and they play a well-established role in maintaining our physical health, from digestion and metabolism to immunity. They also produce vital compounds the human body is incapable of manufacturing on its own. And we now know, they also travel at a vast speed to our brains – like a hotline to our minds.
Over the last few decades, researchers have started to uncover curious, compelling – and sometimes controversial – evidence to suggest that the gut microbiota doesn't just help to keep our brains in prime working order by helping to free up nutrients for it from our food, but may also help to shape our very thoughts and behaviour. Their findings may even potentially bolster how we understand and lead to new treatments for a range of mental health conditions, from depression and anxiety to schizophrenia.
What’s kinda cool, is this modern-day research stems from a point of origin story from 1822! We won’t share the graphic details, but suffice to say, the doctor at the time studied a gut noting the gastric contents were affected by the owner’s emotions. Through this the Dr proposed the idea of a gut-brain axis. And now we know that the microorganisms within our gut make this process even more complex and remarkable.
Dr Beaumont with patient Alex St. Martin in 1822
Recent research out of the USA, shows more insights in to how specific gut microbes can modulate the immune system in ways that impact the brain and also produce molecules that signal directly to neurons to regulate their activity. Gut microbes can regulate the early development of neurons in ways that lead to long-lasting impacts on brain circuitry and behaviours.
On a more regular, short-term basis, gut microbes regulate the production of many biochemicals including serotonin – showing that these microbes are communicating with our brains through many pathways.
The good news is that you can change your microbiota, you are in control of it. Pro- and prebiotic supplements, simple dietary changes, such as eating more fibre and fermented foods, along with lifestyle activities such as meditation and exercise – can help alter our microbiota in ways that benefit our minds.
With many studies underway isolating specific pre- and probiotics that impact mood and behaviour, the aim is to use them as psychobiotics to nurture populations of "good" bacteria – and treat a variety of mental health conditions, as an adjunct to current medications or…here’s hoping….an alternative.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230120-how-gut-bacteria-are-controlling-your-brain