Our mood and mental state is influenced by a huge number of external factors. I quarreled with a colleague, hit the corner of the sofa, brought a cold pizza – all this can upset, anger and even become a catalyst for a depressive state. But are only people and things affecting us?
The connection between body and mind is not new. Specialists in the field of psychosomatics have long been studying the influence of psychological factors on our bodily health, and body-oriented therapists work, for example, with muscle clamps – a consequence of repressed aggression.
But do not forget about the inverse relationship: our bodily features and diseases affect the psyche. A vivid example is pain, which instantly changes our mood. There are also less obvious connections. We are talking about more complex processes occurring in our internal organs. For example, bacteria in the gut also affect our brain, mood, and psyche.
It may sound strange, but the stomach is a really important organ for our psyche. Columbia University professor Michael Gershon devoted an entire book to this topic with the telling title “Second Brain”. According to the scientist, the walls of the stomach and other digestive organs are covered with a network of neurons, the total number of which reaches one hundred million. This “little brain” in our belly interacts with our brain and largely determines our mood.
So, for example, up to 90% of serotonin, the “hormone of happiness”, is produced in the digestive tract. Gut bacteria produce dopamine and other neurotransmitters responsible for anxiety, focus, motivation, and more.
The University of California recently conducted an experiment: women without gastrointestinal and psychiatric diseases were divided into three groups. Participants in the first group ate a fermented milk product with probiotics twice a day for four weeks in a row. The second group received a non-fermented dairy product with probiotics. The third is an unfortified dairy product.
All participants were asked to complete a task that required emotional involvement. The researchers scanned the brains of the subjects to get data about the changes taking place in it.
Taking care of the intestines means increasing the level of quality of life and psychological comfort
The results of the three groups differed significantly. Women who received fermented milk products were more calm when performing the task, but the third group showed brain hyperactivity.
“Good gut bacteria,” explains neuroscientist Marva Azab, “may make us less prone to depressive states after suffering stress or psychological trauma.” Not everyone who has experienced trauma and suffered from PTSD develops depression. Dr. Azab believes that one of the factors is a violation of the intestinal microflora.
It is not easy to accept that the microorganisms in our stomach can influence our thoughts, behavior and intelligence. The neuroscientist considers several strategies for the influence of microorganisms on our brain.
- Gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters that affect our mood.
- The vagus nerve serves as a channel for bidirectional communication between the intestine and the brain.
- The immune system is closely linked to the gut microbiome (a collection of diverse microflora genes) and the nervous system.
“Studies from around the world provide evidence for gut-brain interactions, but scientists have also cataloged specific bacteria associated with various mental health conditions. So, experts recently investigated the correlation between microbiome factors and quality of life and depression. Not only did they find a link between the gut microbiome and mental health, but they were able to catalog the exact names of the bacteria associated with good and bad quality of life,” says Dr. Azab.
Studies have shown that the gut flora of people with mental illness differs from that of mentally healthy people. “Soon, mental illness treatment protocol will include probiotics instead of antidepressants!” – ironic scientist.
Of course, mental disorders should be treated by a psychiatrist, not a gastroenterologist. But taking care of the intestines means increasing the level of quality of life and psychological comfort.