Hebron University

Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine

General Microbiology
Gut Bacteria and Mind Control

Rasha Badawi 21710975

Dr. Rozan Atilli
That gut feeling that you get might be
!an actual thing
There are trillions of microbes
inside you right now, living out their
tiny little lives. They are a whole
complicated community, called the
microbiomes.

The gut microbiome includes

bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and archea.
This community of microorganisms is critical to human health and heavily
influences the progression of various diseases .
Microbiomes in our gut dictate a big part of how our bodies respond
to things. They are critical when it comes down to our nervous system
development and in our immune system development.
They have a direct line of communication with the brain and all has to
do with something that is called the Gut-Brain Axis (GBA).
What Is Gut-Brain Axis?
Is essentially the line of communication or the highway between the gut and
the brain. It consists of bidirectional communication between the central
and the enteric nervous system, linking emotional and cognitive
centers of the brain with peripheral intestinal functions.

These two organs are connected physically and biochemically in a number of

different ways, for example:

1- The Vagus Nerve and the Nervous

System.
2- Neurotransmitters.
The Vagus Nerve and the
Nervous System:
Neurons are cells that tell the body how to behave. The gut
contains 500 million of neurons, which are connected to the brain
through nerves in the nervous system.

The vagus nerve is one of the biggest nerves connecting the gut
and the brain. It sends signals in both directions.

one study in humans found that people with irritable bowel

syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s disease had reduced vagal tone,
indicating a reduced function of the vagus nerve. This suggests that
the vagus nerve is important in the gut-brain axis and its role.
Neurotransmitters:
Gut and brain are also connected through chemicals called

neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters produced in the brain control

feelings and emotions. For example, the neurotransmitter serotonin
contributes to feelings of happiness and also helps control the body
clock .
Many of the neurotransmitters are produced by the gut cells and the
trillions of microbes living there.

Examples:

- A large proportion of serotonin is produced in the gut.

- Your gut microbes also produce a neurotransmitter called gamma-

aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps control feelings of fear and
anxiety.

- Scientists have found that gut bacteria produce many other

neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and
acetylcholine, which are critical for mood, anxiety, concentration,
reward, and motivation.

SO.. (The gut microbiome can cause changes in how our brains react.)
Gut Microbes Make Other Chemicals
That Affect the Brain:
The trillions of microbes that live in the gut also make other chemicals that
affect how the brain works.
They produce lots of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) such as butyrate,
propionate and acetate. They make SCFA by digesting fiber.
SCFA affect brain function in a number of ways, such as:
- reducing appetite.
One study found that consuming propionate can reduce food intake
and reduce the activity in the brain related to reward from high-energy
food.
Another SCFA, butyrate, and the microbes that produce it are also
important for forming the barrier between the brain and the
blood, which is called the blood-brain barrier.

Gut microbes also metabolize bile acids and amino acids to produce
other chemicals that affect the brain.

Bile acids are chemicals made by the liver that are normally involved in
absorbing dietary fats. However, they may also affect the brain. Two
studies in mice found that stress and social disorders reduce the
production of bile acids by gut bacteria and alter the genes involved in
their production.
How Can You Improve Your Gut
?Microbiome
(1)Eat a diverse range of foods: This can lead to a diverse microbiome, which
is an indicator of good gut health.

*Foods that may help increase the beneficial bacteria in gut

and improve brain health:
- Omega-3 fats: These fats are found in oily fish, spinach, flax seeds, salmon,
and many other sources.

Studies in humans and animals show that omega-3s can increase good bacteria
in the gut and reduce risk of brain disorders
Foods contain Omega-3
Fermented foods: Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and cheese all -
contain healthy microbes such as lactic acid bacteria.
Fermented foods have been shown to alter brain activity
- High-fiber foods: Whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables all
contain prebiotic fibers that are good for your gut bacteria. Prebiotics
can reduce stress hormone in humans
(2) Limit your intake of artificial sweeteners:
Some evidence has shown that artificial sweeteners like aspartame
increase blood sugar by stimulating the growth of unhealthy bacteria
like Enterobacteriaceae in the gut microbiome.

(3) Take antibiotics only when necessary:

That is because antibiotics kill many bad and good bacteria in the
gut microbiome, possibly contributing to weight gain and antibiotic
resistance. Thus, only take antibiotics when medically necessary.
SUMMARY

* Gut and brain are connected physically through millions of nerves,

most importantly the vagus nerve. The gut and its microbes also make
many different compounds that can affect brain health.

* The gut microbiome can cause changes in how our brains react.

* Eating a wide variety of high-fiber and fermented foods supports a

healthy microbiome. Taking probiotics and limiting antibiotics can also
be beneficial.
Gut Bacteria Can Influence Your Mood, Thoughts, and Brain!
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/31530002/?i=7&from=relation%20between%20gut%20bacteria%20and%20brain

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/neuroscience-in-everyday-life/201908/gut-bacteria-can-influence-your-
mood-thoughts-and-brain%3famp

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-brain-connection#section2

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4367209/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-omega-3-rich-foods#2
The End