Describe how microbial communities in the body could influence brain and mental health states. Then describe how brain and mental health states could influence microbial communities in the body. In what ways might these promote health and/or disease?

Microbial communities across different sites on the body do effect mental health the the health of the brain. Mental illnesses like depression and anxiety have been found to be linked to dysbiosis in the gut. This goes to show that everything in our bodies interact with each other in ways we might not think of. Hormones, neurotransmitters, and immunological factors released in the gut that impact the brain are the main connection between microbiota and mental health. This relationship is not just one way and the signals between sites go both ways meaning microbial communities affect brain function and brain function affects microbiota. An imbalance in any of theses factors influences bodily function and is influenced by things like bodily function, genetics, and environment. The same things that influence and are influenced by microbial communities.