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You might remember that some of your friends run to the toilet to relieve themselves whenever they face a difficult question in an exam or just before an interview. Phrases such as ‘nervous’, ‘shit in his pants’ or ‘butterflies in his stomach’ highlight the connection between Veins and intestines.
This connection is driven primarily by the gut-brain axis, a two-way street through which the digestive system and the central nervous system communicate with each other.
It is well established that gut health can influence mood and mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, stress response, and even cognition, and conversely, mood and Mental state can also affect the gut Celebration.
Growing evidence now implicates not only mental health but also many brain diseases and organic brain disorders parkinson’s disease It may originate in the digestive system, particularly through the gut-brain axis.
of hormones, bacteria and neurotransmitters
Over the past few years, research in this area has increased our understanding of the mechanisms through which the gut influences mood and vice versa.
This axis is a complex of the vagus nerve, immune systemHormones, and most importantly, the gut microbiome – the trillions of microbes in our gut consisting of various bacteria, viruses and fungi – an ecosystem in itself.
Certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) such as serotonin, dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) regulate mood, anxiety and stress response.
In fact, serotonin, a major mood-regulating transmitter, is produced largely (up to 90 percent) in the gut by microbes.
Gut bacteria can also be a trigger Swelling Through the release of cytokines which have been linked to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. In contrast, certain neuroactive compounds, such as a short-chain fatty acid called butyrate, which have mood-elevating effects by directly affecting brain function, are produced by these bacteria in the gut.
On the other hand, mood changes like anxiety, fear, etc., affect gut motility by releasing hormones like cortisol, leading to diarrhea or constipation.
Apart from this, these hormones also alter the permeability of the intestine leading to bloating, cramps etc. In fact, they may even cause some changes to the delicately balanced microbiome.
Similar actions can also be done through the vagus nerve. Changes in mental state impacting digestion and increasing or decreasing appetite are a common experience.
Do some organic brain diseases originate in the gut?
Emerging evidence suggests that Parkinson’s disease may actually begin in the gut. One protein, alpha-synuclein, possibly accumulates in the gut and can then reach the brain via the vagus nerve from the gut, causing neurodegeneration.
Constipation, which actually precedes neurological symptoms in many patients, may indicate the origin of the disease in the intestine.
There is emerging evidence, although not very strong at this time, that Alzheimer’s disease and some other similar disorders are also multiple sclerosis (ms) And even epilepsy and schizophrenia may potentially have their origins in the gut due to dysbiosis (alterations in the gut microbiota).
Certain gut bacteria are linked to the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports brain health and promotes resilience against mental disorders such as depression.
The gut microbiota is a diverse population of bacteria, some viruses, and fungi. When this diversity is reduced for any reason, BDNF levels are reduced, potentially increasing susceptibility to mental health problems.
Scientists now understand that each person’s unique collection of symptoms is actually the result of complex interactions between human and microbiota processes.
Research shows that individuals with depression and anxiety often have different gut microbiome compositions than people without these conditions.
The effectiveness of probiotics and prebiotics in treating anxiety and depression, at least in some patients, points to dysbiosis as one of the possible factors of such pathologies.
However, it should be kept in mind that the gut connection is only one possible factor among the multifactorial causes of such diseases.
Understanding the ‘second’ brain
So, in a way, the gut has its own “brain”, often called the enteric nervous system (ENS), which consists of about half a billion neurons embedded in the walls of the digestive tract.
It is sometimes called the “second brain” because it works independently of the brain and spinal cord and can control many digestive processes on its own.
The ENS is highly autonomous, but still cannot ‘think’.
These neurons work together with some other humoral factors to control muscle contraction, enzyme secretion, and carry out complex functions such as peristalsis (wave-like muscle movements that push food through the digestive tract) and absorption. Can also manage local blood flow. Nutrients.
Probiotics as treatment
Some probiotics, known as psychobiotics, help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by working on the gut-brain axis.
Consuming highly processed foods and excessive sugar has adverse effects on mental health by causing inflammation and altering the microbiota.
On the other hand, vegetarian diets rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and fermented foods associated with a healthy microbiome have shown to improve mood.
Although not as a stand-alone treatment, probiotics as part of a comprehensive treatment plan have been shown to be helpful in treating Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease.
(Dr Ashwini Setya is Assistant Professor in Gastroenterology at ESIC Medical College, Faridabad and Senior Consultant at Medanta Institute of Digestive and Hepatobiliary Sciences, New Delhi. The views expressed are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor He is responsible for them.)
