Research Finds Gut Microbiome Has Powerful Influence on the Brain

The trillions of microbes that inhabit the human body, collectively called the microbiome, are estimated to weigh two to six pounds — up to twice the weight of the average human brain. Most of them live in the gut and intestines, helping to digest food, ward off infection, etc. Studies have previously linked the gut microbiome to a range of complex behaviors, such as mood, emotion, appetite and satiety. Recent research conducted by The Kavli Foundation suggests that not only does the gut microbiome appear to help maintain brain function, but it may also influence the risk of psychiatric and neurological disorders — including anxiety, depression and autism. Researchers discovered the gut microbiome communicates with the brain via molecules that are produced by gut bacteria and then enter the bloodstream; these metabolites were powerful enough to change the behavior in mice. The study raises the possibility that brain disorders, including anxiety, depression and autism, may be treated through the gut — which is a much easier target for drug delivery than the brain. To read more about this study, click here.