The stomach, our second brain: studies link the microbiota with mental illness

Dr. Premysl Bercik, a neurogastroenterology researcher at McMaster University, in Canada, explained to the program the conclusions of the studies they had carried out with mice, with which he could conclude that “a certain probiotic can improve the patient’s condition and alter various areas of the brain associated with anxiety and depression, in exactly the same areas that classic antidepressant drugs target,” it said.

The study that links the microbiota with anxiety and depression

On the set of ‘Horizonte’, Ángela Quintas, a graduate in Chemistry, and Dr. Manuel Martín-Loeches analyzed this connection between the digestive system and the brain with Iker Jiménez and Carmen Porter. Curiously, “the digestive system is the only one that has a brain of its own”they pointed out.

With this, the gut microbiota would be key to our health. “There are many things that can cause my microbiota to lose balance, such as stress,” Ángela pointed out. “Right now mental health is related to the microbiota”added Martín-Loeches, who later listed various mental illnesses that have been linked to the microbiota.

Iker Jiménez was fascinated by the discovery. In addition, he asked the experts what keys we can follow to identify damage to the microbiota, as well as advice to take care of it.

Recommendations for leading a healthy life that affects the microbiota