How gut addiction affects mental health

There is currently a lot of research being carried out on the relationship between the gut and the brain, and how the gut can affect mental health and inform behavior. Studies have shown that microbes in the gut secrete dopamine and serotonin, and are, in fact, responsible for a large proportion of the production of these neurotransmitters. When the intestinal flora is out of balance, the production of neurotransmitters is affected, resulting in a wide gamut of psychological and mental disorders.

The microbiome of our bodies comprises more than 90% of the genetic material present. A study of these organisms and the effect that they have on our body chemistry and processes is a relatively new branch of research, and much of the interactions that govern their behavior and the impact that they have on our physiology are still unknown.

There are also about 100 million neurons embedded in the gut, which forms the enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system is largely autonomous and controls the digestive processes without input from the brain. This nervous system is also responsible for protecting the body from harmful elements that may enter the digestive tract along with the food ingested. This “second brain” employs much the same mechanics as the cranial brain, including the same neurotransmitters.

The sensory input received by the enteric nervous system is carried to the cranial brain using the vagus nerve, and most of the information flow in only one direction, from the gut to the brain. For instance, the enteric nervous system will inform the brain of contaminated food by inducing cramps or nausea, and passing the message to the brain via the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve also controls the chemical levels in the gut, keeping track of the nutrients absorbed from the food being digested. The behavior in test rats and mice clearly indicated that dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain were affected by damage to the vagus nerve, showing clearly that the brain is affected by what happens in the gut.

Because of the presence of the neurotransmitters in the gut, medications, and treatments for chemical imbalances in the brain, will also affect the gut. This is why the list of side effects for many mood-altering prescription drugs include diarrhea or constipation or other gut-related complications. Similarly, medication that affects the digestive tract will also impact the neurotransmitters in the brain.

Medications such as antibiotics have a marked impact on the intestinal flora that is responsible for the secretion of the neurotransmitters in the gut. Other by-products of the modern lifestyle such as heavy metals and surgical procedures, not to mention diets high in processed foods and simple sugars also greatly impact the chemical balance in the enteric nervous system.

When the chemical balance in the body becomes unstable, there are some reactions. As the beneficial gut flora becomes weakened, serotonin and dopamine levels are affected, which results in changes in our brain chemistry.

In the realm of food cravings and food addiction, it was thought in the past that cravings were the body’s way of asking for nutrients that it was lacking. New research tends to indicate that food cravings and addictions are in fact formed by the bacteria in our gut. For instance, individuals who crave chocolate have different gut microbiota to those who are indifferent to chocolate, even if their diet otherwise does not differ.

Check out our Integrative Addiction Conference 2016 being held in Austin, Texas

Cravings and addictions can be the body’s way to express deficiencies in certain essential chemicals, such as dopamine or serotonin. A common side effect of dopamine imbalance is an addictive behavior. The person suffering from a shortage of these chemicals will try to find the reactions they create from external sources such as food, alcohol, or drugs. As the addictive substance further impedes the production of the necessary neurotransmitters, more and more is required to maintain the same level of reaction and response. The microbes in the gut also affect anxiety levels, which means that a person with a compromised gut will have a greater level of anxiety and depression, leading to a higher chance of dependence on and addiction to drugs and other mood-altering substances. Unless the root problem of the compromised digestive microbiota is addressed, there is also a greater likelihood that addicts will relapse after rehab, as a result of these elevated anxiety levels.

At the Integrative Addition Conference later this year, the link between the gut, the brain, and addiction will be discussed in more detail. Register at http://regenerativepotential.com/integrativeaddictionconference/ to learn more about the brain-gut link and addiction, and to attend the conference where expert speakers will address this and other topics.