You know they’re good for your gut, but what’s good for your gut is good for your brain!
Probiotics have in a few short years evolved from hippie grocery store staple to downright commonplace—think Dannon’s Activa yogurt at every gas station around. As more people learn about the importance of gut health (is the gluten-free movement part of that?), more people are turning to probiotic supplements or probiotic-rich foods to make sure their stomachs stay happy. We’ve written about the importance of probiotics for a healthy body.
But what about a healthy mind?
What if mental health, too, is affected by gut health? A recent article on The Verge “Gut Feelings: The Future of Psychiatry May Be Inside Your Stomach“ tells the tale of Boston-area psychiatrist James Greenblatt, who says, “The gut is really your second brain. There are more neurons in the GI tract than anywhere else except the brain.”
He has solved a few mental health cases with changes in diet and high-dose probiotics. His provocative idea that psychiatric woes can be solved through treatment to the digestive system is increasingly proved true through anecdotal evidence and research. Previous research focused on a connection from brain to gut, but did not consider if signs could go from stomach to brain. Anxiety often causes nausea and diarrhea, and depression can change appetite. But scientists are just now coming around to the notion that stomach issues can contribute to mental issues.