How the Microbiome Influences Neurological Health

Your body is home to a delicate network of trillions of fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which is first determined by one’s DNA. The balance between symbiotic and pathogenic microbes plays a crucial role in strengthening your immune system and neurological health due to the “gut-brain axis”, which we will be exploring in further detail later on in this article. 

(Bauer, 2018)

What is the gut microbiome? 

Inside your intestines are where the majority of microorganisms within your body live. The gut microbiome is defined as the microorganisms living in a tiny pocket-like structure of your large intestine called the cecum. 

What role does the gut microbiome play in our neurological health? 

In the past decade, there have been crucial advancements in the biomedical field, leading to our understanding of the gut microbiome and the effect it has on our physiology along with brain behavior and function to increase exponentially. 

One of the most notable links between the two is the gut-brain axis, a two-way dialogue through the vagus nerve which is the second biggest nerve in the body after the spinal cord. This link allows the two organs to directly communicate with each other, leading to the chemicals produced by the gut to have an impact on the brain, for example, the production of short-chain fatty acids positively affects the function of brain cells. 

Furthermore, studies on animals that have been previously exposed to pathogenic and probiotic bacteria, germ-free animals, and antibiotic drugs have pointed toward the ability of gut microbiota to help regulate pain, anxiety, cognition, and mood. 

Works Cited

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Damiani, F., Cornuti, S. and Tognini, P. (2023). The gut-brain connection: Exploring the influence of the gut microbiota on neuroplasticity and neurodevelopmental disorders. Neuropharmacology, [online] 231, p.109491. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109491.

Robertson, R. (2017). How Does Your Gut Microbiome Impact Your Overall Health? [online] Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2 [Accessed 1 Feb. 2025].

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Tiwari, P., Dwivedi, R., Bansal, M., Tripathi, M. and Dada, R. (2023). Role of Gut Microbiota in Neurological Disorders and Its Therapeutic Significance. Journal of Clinical Medicine, [online] 12(4), pp.1650–1650. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12041650.

Ullah, H., Safia Arbab, Tian, Y., Liu, C., Chen, Y., Qijie, L., Muhammad, Hassan, I.U. and Li, K. (2023). The gut microbiota–brain axis in neurological disorder. Frontiers in Neuroscience, [online] 17. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1225875.