Anxiety is a common mental health disorder affecting millions worldwide. Research has identified gut microbes as an unexpected ally in its treatment. These microbes produce indoles, which regulate brain activity associated with anxiety.
A study by Duke-NUS Medical School and the National Neuroscience Institute found that gut microbes influence brain activity and may hold the key to new treatments for anxiety and depression. The researchers used germ-free mice and found that their absence of living microbes led to increased anxiety-related behavior. However, introducing live microbes or indoles reduced anxiety levels.
The study suggests targeting the gut-brain axis could lead to new anxiety treatments through dietary indole supplementation or probiotic introduction. Senior Vice-Dean Patrick Tan said this discovery underscores evolutionary links between microbes, nutrition, and brain function. The researchers plan to test their findings in clinical trials and examine the efficacy of indole-based probiotics as a natural anxiety treatment.
This breakthrough offers hope for people suffering from stress-related conditions, such as sleep disorders or those unable to tolerate standard psychiatric medications. If successful, it may lead to a new era in mental health care, where gut microbes play a pivotal role in maintaining mental health balance.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/gut-microbes-have-an-unexpected-link-to-anxiety