We often think that your brain is in charge when it comes to mental health. This includes your behavior and even your moods. Recent research has shown that it is likely your gut that is calling the shots. In addition to the brain in your head, embedded in the wall of your gut is your enteric nervous system (ENS), which works both independently of and in conjunction with the brain in your head.
Your ENS contains hundreds of millions of neurons that researchers believe to be responsible for your “gut instincts”. I always thought that was “just an expression”. These this is believed to be what responds to environmental threats and sends information to your brain in regards to your wellbeing.
A study from the University College Cork in Ireland used so-called germ free mice to show the correlation between microbes in your gut and behavior. The first sign was that mice without microbes in their intestines were unable to recognize other mice around them.
These mice showed altered and high-risk behavior. The behavioral changes were accompanied by neurochemical changes in their brains, as well as genetic alternations.
Researchers also discovered that the absence or presence of gut microorganisms during infancy permanently altered gene expression. Through gene profiling, they were able to discern that absence of gut bacteria altered genes and signaling pathways involved in learning, memory, and motor control.
Those findings suggested that gut bacteria are closely tied to early brain development and subsequent behavior.
These changes could be reversed as long as the mice were exposed to normal microorganisms early in life. However if the mice reached adulthood germ-free, colonizing them with bacteria did not influence their behavior.
Now that we are becoming more aware of how microorganisms in your gut can be beneficial, it is important to find out how to increase the beneficial bacteria. The best way to do this is to talk to a nutrition special in your area about starting a quality probiotic regimen.
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