Many researchers believe that the microbiome should be considered an organ within the human body. The billions of microorganisms that live inside of us and on our skin play a critical role in our health and immune response. Even crazier, scientists have new evidence that the state of our microbiota can affect our own mood and personality! The “microbiome-gut-brain axis” reveals that the health of our microbes could have drastic effects on a variety of mental health disorders. Experiments at the University of Colorado Boulder on rats has shown this connection between the gut and the brain is real and extremely significant for the future of pharmacology and mental health.
A new class of drugs called “psychobiotics” are developing because of these findings. Although there are still many studies and experiments that must be done in order to translate this evidence from animals to humans, researchers have already established that there are certain connections between depression in humans and the presence of certain types of gut bacteria. This also points to the importance of a healthy diet because there are essential nutrients needed in order for the gut bacteria to remain “happy” and deliver good signals to the brain. Furthermore, scientists have begun to wonder if this “linkage” between the microbiota and brain could be related to neurological disorders. The specific diseases that are being investigated are multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
So far, researchers have found that an unhealthy microbiome can cause inflammation resulting in damage of the CNS, (indicative of MS.) Through studies, the administration of certain antibiotics have reduced the symptoms and severity of MS and the other neurological disorders. In regards to Alzheimer’s disease, the significance of diet has been discussed and widely agreed upon. Unhealthy lifestyles clearly contribute to the development and progression of neurological disorders. Lastly, patients with Parkinson’s disease have been reported to have abnormal gut microbiota which could be the cause of neuronal inclusions. I find it extremely fascinating that the billions of microorganisms living inside of us could hold the key to a future without severe mental or physical disease.
Isley's Blog 