3d Gut Brain axis

• The Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) refers to the connection between the Central Nervous System and the Enteric Nervous System, enabling bidirectional communication between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract
• The Enteric Nervous System, a sub-division of the Autonomic Nervous System, consists of 200-600 million nerve cells lining the gastrointestinal tract, regulating muscle contractions, gastric acid secretion, blood flow changes, and the release of gut hormones
• The Vagus Nerve, originating in the brain stem, connects the brain to organs like the lungs, heart, esophagus, and intestinal tract, controlling functions such as the immune response, digestion, heart rate, and mood
• The Gut Microbiota, consisting of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the gut, helps produce neurotransmitters like Dopamine, GABA, and over 80% of the body's Serotonin, impacting immune system functions, digestive disorders, stress responses, mood, and various mental health disorders
• Stress can disturb the balance of gut microbiota, influencing susceptibility to stress, physiological responses, changes in psychological processes and behavior, stress resilience, and recovery from stress-induced experiences
• Research has shown that infants born to highly stressed mothers during pregnancy, with high levels of Cortisol in the blood, tend to have abnormal gut microbiota composition, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms and other issues related to the Gut-Brain Axis
• Mice raised in 'sterile' conditions with few microbiota, when exposed to stress-associated microbiota, showed an exaggerated stress response, indicating how gut microbiota can influence stress-related experiences and behaviors
• Stress causes changes in gut microbiota and deficiencies in certain bacteria linked to anxiety and depression, with specific gut bacteria associated with stress increasing anxiety-related behaviors
• Treatment with healthy microbiota can reduce anxiety-like behaviors and stress responsiveness in humans and mice, showing the impact of gut microbiota on stress management
• The Vagus nerve is the most important nerve in our parasympathetic nervous systems, playing a role in our mood, immune response, digestion, and heart rates.