Not Just a Gut Feeling: The Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Behavior

The sensations in the pit of the stomach when one feels nervous don’t actually come from butterflies, but they may be caused by microbes. Current research suggests that gut microbes may communicate with the brain, and vice versa, leading to changes in mood and contributing to disorders such as anxiety and depression. Studies using pathogen infections, germ-free mice, human-to-mouse fecal transplants, and antibiotic and probiotic analyses provide pieces to this large and complicated puzzle, and strongly suggest the existence of a microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Download this poster from The Scientist's Creative Services Division to learn more about the relationship between your gut microbes and your brain!