Psychobiotics is an exciting new science that could lead to radical new treatments for sufferers of obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, rheumatoid arthritis and even Parkinson’s disease.
So what exactly is it? Psychobiotics is a term used in research projects to refer to live bacteria that, when ingested in appropriate amounts, might offer mental health and other benefits by affecting the make up of your ‘microbiome’.
The microbiome refers to the community of trillions of microbes living in your gut.
The state of your gut is now thought to affect the state of your brain too. What links the two is the Vagus nerve, the longest nerve in your body connecting the brain to the heart, lungs, and digestive tract.
This system has been referred to as your ‘second brain’, and messages sent up to the brain can affect your thinking, mood. and general well-being. The term ‘gut feeling’ really does seem to have a lot of truth in it!
Amazing new research has already come up with promising results.
This mind-brain connection is now leading to new approaches to treating depression. Studies have found that sending electrical pulses along the vagus nerve can influence the brain’s use of serotonin, helping to alleviate severe depression.
By stimulating the gut to produce serotonin, it’s also possible to affect eating behaviour, alleviate and even enhance brain functioning.
And evidence is emerging for surprising links between the gut and other disorders usually thought to start elsewhere, such as cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers are currently developing non-invasive neurotransmitter recording technology that will allow personalised and precision treatments for all kinds of disorders.
Research into Psychobiotics is exploding world-wide, so look out for innovative new treatments coming our way in years to come – Many of them sooner than later!