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Gut microbiome and mental health

By Samantha Shepherd, MSW, LICSW • JFCS Counselor

“It’s not all in your head”

Do you get that “gut” feeling when something is not right? Have you ever been told to “listen to your gut?” Turns out, there are biological reasons for this, and your experience isn’t just all in your head. It is intricately connected to the rest of your body, especially your gut.

What are microbiomes?

According to the National Human Genome Research Institute (NIH), “the microbiome is the community of microorganisms (such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses) that exists in a particular environment. In humans, the term is often used to describe the microorganisms that live in or on a particular part of the body, such as the skin of the gastrointestinal tract. These groups of microorganisms are dynamic and change in response to a host of environmental factors, such as exercise, diet, medication and other exposure.” (Segre, J. 2024)

Does this influence how you feel? 

Yes! Our bodies are beautifully interconnected; “the brain and the gut are intimately connected and send signals back and forth.” (Smith, 2023) This is why some folks refer to our gut as the “second brain.” According to a recent article from Optum, “Many people think of depression and anxiety as a chemical imbalance in the brain. But these chemicals are created in the gut, not the brain…in fact, more than 30 different neurotransmitters and nearly 90% of the body’s serotonin, the feel-good hormone, come from your gut.”   

Interested in this topic and want to learn more?

Consider checking out the documentary, “Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut,” (2024) for a lighthearted documentary about the digestive system and its role in your overall well-being.

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