Learning & education: Gut Health
The link between stress, neurotransmitter shifts, and stool consistency is a powerful example of the gut-brain axis in action. Stress activates CRF, catecholamine, and serotonergic pathways that alter ENS behavior, change transit time, and often produce looser or harder stools depending on the context and individual.
Although the details of the gut-brain conversation are still unfolding, one message is already loud and clear: serotonin made in the gut plays a starring role in both digestion and mood.
This article will explain the major ways that gut microbes produce and influence chemicals that shape mood and bowel function. It will also give concrete examples and note what this communication means for health and wellness.
Let’s take a walk through the gut-brain connection, meet the GABA-producing bacteria hiding in your microbiome, and see how you can turn up the volume on calm.
The gut is often considered the body's "second brain," with roles in mood regulation and immune function that expand beyond its primary job of digestion. It’s perhaps unsurprising that nicotine, the primary active compound found in tobacco products, has been the topic of intense research due to its wide-ranging effects on the body.
This article seeks to improve your understanding of the role of GABA in gut health and offers insights into the management of GI disorders, mental health, and overall wellness.