Gut Flora and Stress

According to research by Crumeyrolle-Arias M et al, published in Psychoneur. in 2014, the gut microbiota also affects brain function, including its ability to handle stress. A new study highlights the connection between gut flora, stress, and monoamine signalling* in the brain. Recent findings show that test animals without gut flora exposed to stress exhibit worse neurological and hormonal changes, as well as poorer behavioural responses, compared to test animals with a healthy gut microbiota.
(Crumeyrolle-Arias M, Jaglin M, Bruneau A, Vancassel S, Cardona A, Daugé V, Naudon L, Rabot S. Psychoneur. 2014 Apr;42:207-17.)

*There are theories suggesting that mental imbalances may, among other things, be caused by imbalances in monoamines (neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine).

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