That anxiety may be in your gut, not in your head

[Celebration]

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-05-anxiety-gut.html

Working with healthy adult mice, the researchers showed that disrupting the normal bacterial content of the gut with antibiotics produced changes in behaviour; the mice became less cautious or anxious. This change was accompanied by an increase in brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which has been linked, to depression and anxiety.

When oral antibiotics were discontinued, bacteria in the gut returned to normal. "This was accompanied by restoration of normal behaviour and brain chemistry," Collins said.

To confirm that bacteria can influence behaviour, the researchers colonized germ-free mice with bacteria taken from mice with a different behavioural pattern. They found that when germ-free mice with a genetic background associated with passive behaviour were colonized with bacteria from mice with higher exploratory behaviour, they became more active and daring. Similarly, normally active mice became more passive after receiving bacteria from mice whose genetic background is associated with passive behaviour.

While previous research has focused on the role bacteria play in brain development early in life, Collins said this latest research indicates that while many factors determine behaviour, the nature and stability of bacteria in the gut appear to influence behaviour and any disruption , from antibiotics or infection, might produce changes in behaviour.

[tridim]

1. That means your bacteria aren't living in you, they are you.

Pretty interesting stuff, I wonder if DNA plays a role in our bacteria populations?

[pnwmom]

2. Pretty weird thought, isn't it? n/t

[Demeter]

3. The gut is our secondary nervous system

and sometimes it dominates over our brain.

[tinrobot]

6. Most of our serotonin is produced in the gut

The enteric nervous system is more of a second brain.

[valerief]

4. So it's not "You are what you eat." It's "You are what you poop." nt

:rofl:

[napoleon_in_rags]

5. +1000 on this one. I went through HELL with my gut. Nightmare anxiety.

Years ago I had this nightmarish brain warping anxiety, coupled with bowel and gut symptoms. It was hell. I finally worked my way through to a good gastroenterologist, who gave me Lexapro (anti-anxiety med) to treat the physical symptoms: She explained that the whole gut is surrounded with neurons (!!!) and that is was much a part of the brain as it was part of digestion. Thus sayings like "butterflies in your stomach" and "gut feeling" have a real physiological basis, and are part of human cognition.

[dkf]

8. I hope Probiotics work just as well.

[napoleon_in_rags]

12. A great preventative measure to be sure.

And this OP means the benefits of probiotics may stretch beyond the gut. The doctors who say that its all connected, mind body, are the ones I respect most...even my partner has commented on how my demeanor has changed since I switched to a different diet (vast amounts of raw produce)

[dkf]

7. I believe it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. LOL!

About eighteen years too late bubba.

[cilla4progress]

10. "Addicted" to Keifer

Our family has become quite reliant on Keifer over the winter - which we make ourselves from starter (Keifer grains) and milk. Contrary to previous winters, we experienced NO colds, flus, stomach upsets, etc. this winter - unlike everyone else in our community! I find I crave it now. Can't recommend it highly enough!

[LiberalEsto]

11. What is keifer? Unable to find it on Google

Do you mean kefir?