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Have you ever noticed that you can get the urge to use the bathroom right before an important exam, meeting, or appointment? If you hear bad news, you can experience nausea and worsening acidity.

All of these symptoms are due to the gut-brain connection. Simplified, it’s the cross-talk between the bacteria in your colon and your brain through signals traveling through the spinal cord. Research shows that alteration in the colon microbiota can lead to anxiety and depression.

Some essential points are:

  1. The gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiome. These microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, play a vital role in digestion and metabolism. They can also produce molecules and neurotransmitters influencing brain function and mood.
  1. Influence on Mood: The gut produces many neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), also found in the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating mood, emotions, and behavior. An imbalance in these neurotransmitters in the gut can affect mental health.

 Emerging research suggests that the gut microbiome may have a substantial influence on mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Changes in the composition of gut bacteria can affect the production of neurotransmitters and other signaling molecules that play a role in mood regulation. The interactions between the colonic microbiome and the brain play a significant role in many aspects of your mood, like motivation, positive thoughts, and enthusiasm toward routine tasks.

  1. Stress Response: Stress and emotional states can impact gut function. Chronic stress can lead to alteration of the gut microbiome, which in turn can lead to several gastrointestinal diseases. These can sometimes be very serious, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Stress activates the “fight or flight” response, affecting digestion.
  1. Disorders and Conditions: Dysregulation of the gut-brain axis has been implicated in various conditions like autism spectrum disorders and certain mental health disorders.

The gut brain axis influences several aspects of our health. More research is needed to identify factors that can benefit our overall health.