Psychiotics It is a term coined recently and refers to the relationship between mind, bacteria and intestines.
Only in the last 10-15 years has the direct connection between Intestine and brain (so much so that the intestine is called “the second brain”). But it had been for several decades that the researchers had begun to guide their studies on the relationships between the intestinal flora and our physical and mental health.
The human organism from birth is inhabited by a wide range of microorganisms (bacteria, mushrooms, archeobacteria, protozoa and viruses) that live and colonize the body surfaces exposed, the communicating mucous membranes with the outside and above all the digestive tube, where they perform the main functions. This set of microorganisms, in the past called with the term “bacterial flora” or “intestinal flora” because in remote times the bacteria were still little known and were considered as plants, was recently called Microbiota.
Intestinal microorganisms
We currently know that this great community of intestinal microorganisms (The weight of the microbes in our intestine is almost the same as the weight of the brain) can produce very beneficial substances for health. As for example vitamins or molecules such as neurotransmitters, who, reaching the brain, can generate different feelings and emotions. It is therefore scientifically demonstrated that the state of our intestine influences our mood and our mental health.
But it is a double sense path, since the mind also influences our intestine. The first assumptions were derived from experiments in rats that showed that a condition of stress, such as the early separation from their mother, can alter their microbiota and consequently their behavior.
Scientific studies
The crucial role of the intestinal microbiota in brain development has been demonstrated in animals without microbial heritage. A study discovered that mice raised in sterile environments and therefore without indigenous bacteria (mice without germs) showed anomalies in the process of maturing the nervous system and physiological reactions exaggerated to stress, reversible through bacterial recolonization induced by specific drugs.
Since then it has been shown that i Intestinal bacteria They participate in the regulation of various and important physiological processes, including immunomodulation, fatty and energy balance, as well as the activity of the intestinal nervous system.
Microbiota in the fetus and in babies
Confirmations in this sense then came from more recent studies on the man who have ascertained that the characters of the microbiota is already determined at birth. In particular, children born with cesarean cut acquire a different microbiota than those born with vaginal birth due to the different exposure to the microbes.
In fact, the intestine of the fetus, sterile until birth, can be colonized by the bacteria present in the vaginal channel in case of natural birth. While, in case of cesarean delivery, this does not occur, with the consequence that the impact with environmental bacteria will be more dangerous.
There wealth of the intestinal microbiota It is then positively influenced by breastfeeding, which provides the most suitable nutrients not only to the growth of the newborn body, but also to the selection of the best microbiota for its intestine.
This has influence on the duration of weaning, useful to allow the intestinal barrier to mature enough before coming into contact with proteins or other potentially allergenic substances.
The microbiota during the life
If, on the one hand, it is certain that the “nucleus” of the microbiota will not change throughout life, it is also shown that a large part of its composition will instead be destined to change according to different environmental factors such as lifestyle, the use of drugs and disinfectants and obviously the diet. Negative factors are considered to maintain an adequate intestinal bacterial heritage exposure to antibiotics and the intake of low fiber food.
The intestine behaves like a huge sensory organ, constantly feeding the brain with information, but how does the microbiota send brain signals? This occurs through neurotransmitters: some microbes are able to produce most important brain neurotransmitters. In particular, we know that 90% of our serotonin is synthesized in the intestine.
The diet is therefore considered among the main factors that have an impact on the human intestinal microbiota, from childhood to old age, and the term of Probiotics To indicate live micro-organisms which, administered in adequate quantities, bring a benefit to the health of the guest.
Probiotics and mental health
Since probiotics help to maintain intestinal well -being, several researchers hypothesized that they could also positively affect ours emotional well -being. According to this line of studies, therefore, an altered composition of the intestinal microbiota could play a role in the development of depression. At the same time, the reconstitution of a balanced bacterial heritage can represent a goal for the prevention and treatment of this disorder.
Some research seem to confirm it. In 2016, in fact, an article was published which, on the basis of 5 clinical studies in which the voluntary participants had undergone a treatment with probiotics, found that the globally i probiotics reduced the risk of developing a depression in healthy people who alleviated i Symptoms of depression in subjects who were affected.
So the intestine behaves like a huge sensory organ, constantly feeding the brain with information.
But how does the microbiota send brain signals? This occurs through neurotransmitters: some microbes are able to produce most important brain neurotransmitters, in particular, we know that 90% of our serotonin is synthesized in the intestine.
Innovative therapeutic strategies
The rapid growth of New therapeutic strategies For the treatment of psychiatric disorders that point to the intestinal microbiota. The International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research in 2015 published a study that indicates which are the nutrients that help prevent and alleviate some mental alterations such as depression and anxiety.
In this list of substances we find Omega 3 fatty acids, B vitamins, tryptophan, magnesium and zinc.
But if i Intestinal bacteria Can they communicate with the brain then why not try to control this communication to obtain a positive effect on the mind, for example by decreasing anxiety and depression?
Psychiotics
It is precisely on the basis of these considerations that the term of Psychioticsto indicate products containing live organisms that could make a contribution to the care of patients with psychiatric diseases if ingested in adequate quantities.
For example, it has been discovered that the Bifidobacterium Longum has a deep anti-anxiety activitiesseems to improve cognitive abilities in mice, reduce responses to stress and improve memory.
In an article published in the “Trends in Neurosciences”, Philip Burnet, professor of psychiatry of the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom, argued that the intake of probiotics is just one of the possible approaches to psychiotics. “In reality, we aim for an enlargement of the definition of this term to include drugs such as antidepressants and antipsychotics with effects on intestinal bacteria”.
In fact, some psychotropic drugs have recently been shown to determine an increase in variety and numerous intestinal bacterial flora, thus opening the way to new knowledge about the mechanisms of action of these medicines.
