Writing Exercise #12

Based on the articles assigned this week, different types of psychological stress can alter the composition of gut microbiome. Examples of stress can include heat stress or maternal separation. Prior research done showed that change in the gut microbiome could affect our behavior. For instance, the gut-brain axis refers to the role that gut microbiota play in event signaling between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. The microbial communities in the body could influence the brain and mental health stress because if microbial health is poor, it plays a role in the brain/mental health because of the holistic approach in the human body. The conditions and pain induced from poor microbial health could alter a person’s mood.

The brain’s physical and mental state could also influence microbial communities in the body. This is because our bodies produce a variety of hormones depending on our state and how we are feeling. Examples of these hormones include epinephrine, melatonin, and triiodothyronine. These said hormones have the ability to cause an adverse effect on microbial health. For instance, triiodothyronine is used to increase metabolism in the body and in return, will affect the microbes as well. Our gut microbiomes can create neurotransmitters which will affect the brain and mental health state. Another study performed on mice showed that when microbes were transferred from normal mice to germ-free mice, it altered the brain chemistry and their behavior.

There was a study done on people with clinical depression and taking mood-altering drugs show that the dysbiosis caused by the drugs could be mitigated by introducing beneficial gut microbiota. The relationship between brain/mental health and gut flora could promote human health because if you do things that will benefit your microbial health such as taking probiotics or avoiding antibiotic use, it will also cause a positive effect on mental health states due to their relationship.

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