Research Reveals The Science Behind Why Anxiety Is Caused By Gut Bacteria

Aug 23, 2018

Most people in the United States with an anxiety disorder do not receive the proper treatment. It is important to realize not all cases of mental illness come from an imbalance within the brain. Science and research has established there is a type of bacteria in the gut responsible for a wide array of anxiety disorders. These studies may make a tremendous difference for people suffering from an anxiety disorder. 

Researchers have estimated in excess of forty million adults living in the United States are impacted by an anxiety disorder.

This is approximately one out of every eighteen people. Anxiety disorders have shown an increase of 67 percent in a little more than twenty years. The ADAA or the Anxiety and Depression Association of America has revealed the most common mental illness found within the United States are anxiety disorders. Proper treatment is only received by 37 percent of those impacted. 

There are numerous types of anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorders, panic disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and specific phobias. These disorders have resulted in insurance and health care increases of more than $40 billion every year. Most people believe these disorders result from a chemical imbalance within the brain. This is not true for every mental illness.  

Harvard Medical School published an article called the gut-brain connection. This article explained the gut and brain both have the capability to send signals to each other. Intestinal or stomach distress can cause interference in this neuronal signaling or transmission. When the interference is strong enough, severe intestinal or stomach stress can result. This can be the reason the individual is suffering from stress, depression or anxiety issues. 

Your body and brain are extremely complex. Serotonin is the neurochemical responsible for stabilizing your mood and ninety percent is produced within your gut. A network of neurons lines your gut and these specialized cells transmit your nerve impulses. Your gut uses this complex network to interact with your CNS or central nervous system and this connection functions both ways. The majority of interactions occur along your gut-brain axis.   

Billions of healthy bacteria live in your gastrointestinal tract and are called gut flora. This community is what normalizes a lot of the functions in your gut such as your inflammatory response, the absorption, and synthesis of minerals and vitamins and digestion. A lot of studies have occurred regarding the gut-brain axis and your physical and mental health. Scientists have become aware this connection exists but researchers have only recently established the connection to mental health. 

The University of Cork researchers in Ireland have made a breakthrough discovery. They revealed the gene regulators have an important part in anxiety illnesses. They are affected by the levels of bacteria in your gut. This study is just one of many establishing a link between mental health and gut bacteria. The microRNA is one of the gene regulators. If the right amount of gut bacteria is lacking, this will cause the level of anxiety to rise significantly.

The anxiety symptoms of mice decreased when miRNA was injected suggesting gut bacteria must be in a healthy balance for miRNA to be appropriately regulated. This means the anxiety levels in humans may be directly affected by miRNA. This study may potentially lead to manufacturing treatments designed to target the gut as opposed to the brain. The study from the University of Cork is the first to establish an association between specific areas of the brain and the microbial balance in the gut.

The leading author for this study was Dr. Gerald Clark. He stated the study is important because it explains the impacts on the brain regions and the central nervous system including the prefrontal and amygdala cortex. The amygdala is classified as a walnut-shaped, primitive area of the brain believed to be responsible for emotions. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for numerous functions such as social behavior, making decisions and planning. 
 

If these findings can be replicated successfully, it could change the lives of the individuals currently suffering from anxiety. The hopes are this will lead to a better chance of treating a wide variety of mental disorders. 

Understanding anxiety disorders is critical in ensuring people receive the help they need. The more people who read this post and understand the situation, the further this information will spread. Please take the time to leave your opinion because it matters a great deal. 

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!