Insomnia sufferers may be surprised to learn that their gut health could be a key contributor to their sleeplessness. A recent study published in the journal General Psychiatry has found a link between certain bacteria found in the gut and insomnia.
About 10% of adults experience chronic insomnia, while another 20% suffer from occasional symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep, poor sleep quality, and daytime effects like irritability or fatigue. The study analyzed genetic data from nearly 387,000 insomnia patients and their corresponding gut microbiome data.
Researchers discovered a reciprocal link between insomnia and specific types of bacteria found in the gut. These bacteria increased the risk of insomnia by up to 4%, while having insomnia also made them more common. The study identified 14 groups of bacteria that raised the risk of insomnia, as well as 12 types of bacteria associated with higher levels.
The findings suggest a bidirectional relationship between gut health and sleep. While it’s unclear why these two factors are interconnected, researchers propose several theories, including an impact on serotonin and dopamine levels, immune regulation, inflammation, and other molecular mechanisms.
Although the study has limitations, such as limited participant demographics, the results may inspire future microbiome-related treatments for insomnia, including the use of probiotics, prebiotics, or faecal transplantation.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/health/2025/08/13/cant-sleep-your-gut-health-may-be-partly-to-blame-study-finds