Do you know that research is claiming that your stomach bacteria actually cause feelings of being stressed, lonely, and antisocial? Shocked? It is not a bluff but a research-backed story of mind and gut connection. And the reason behind someone having more wisdom is also related to this connection.
This weird, wonderful relationship between your gut health and mental health is called the gut mind connection. Just so you know, the gut is your whole digestive system, from your mouth to the large intestine.
Now let’s understand this connection, and help you get good bacteria in your stomach. So that you’re no longer dealing with loneliness, stress, and anxiety.
⚡In a rush and can’t read the whole blog? Scroll to the bottom for the 5-point cheat sheet!
What is the Mind and Gut Connection?
Your gut and brain are in a long-distance relationship, constantly chatting through the gut-brain axis. It is a two-way street where the gut communicates with the brain and the brain communicates with the gut. The gut-brain axis is a network of nerves, hormones, and bacteria.
Yes, bacteria. Because your gut needs someone to process the food and is home to trillions of micro-organisms (good, bad, moody, confused). They impact everything from digestion to your emotions.
The 2017 research on the Gut-Brain axis says that your gut microbiota (ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and viruses) affects your mental health.
Another research by Sarah Sloat in 2021 has taken the concept of ‘gut feeling’ to another level. It says that wisdom and loneliness are influenced by the gut. And you feeling lonely & stressed can change your gut bacteria.
So these scientific studies are saying that the gut and brain communicate with each other, and both have an impact on each other. They are two best friends who bunk the class together and show up together.
Feeling Down? Your Gut’s Bacteria Might Be to Blame, Say Scientists
A recent fascinating study by Jocelyn Solis-Moreira says that your mood affects your gut microbiome. Meaning people who are lonely have lower gut microbial diversity, aka, fewer kinds of good bacteria.
On the flip side, people with higher wisdom, compassion, and social engagement had richer and many kinds of good bacteria (more diverse gut flora).
You must know that good digestion, no gas, no bloating, no inflammation, and good poop are the core of overall good health. Meaning good gut health is directly proportional to your overall body health. And this says that if you are feeling good and vibing, then your gut thrives more. Which indirectly means your overall body health will thrive.
This will explain why loneliness feels like a stomach ache and why anxiety shows up with bloating and weird burps at the worst time.
So Are Anxiety and Gut Bacteria Linked?
Yes! Studies have shown that anxiety and gut bacteria go hand in hand. A gut with fewer friendly bacteria messes up with your hormones, like serotonin (a happy hormone), and in turn increases your stress, mood swings, and even brings depression.
So if you’re feeling down lately and your mood is all over the place, don’t just blame last night’s street momos. Your stomach might be reacting to something deeper, like stress, sadness, or too many days without a good laugh. It could be quietly screaming, ‘I need better food… and maybe a hug!”
Look at this result from a meta-analysis study saying that people who eat too much junk food regularly have a 16% greater risk of developing mental health problems over time, like stress, depression, etc.
How to Overcome Loneliness And Be Kind To Your Gut?
Whether you’re feeling emotionally drained, dealing with work-from-home blues, or want to get out of that breakup pit, here’s how to fight back for your mind and microbes:
Add Food Rich In Good Bacteria
Curd, Idli, Dosa, Sauerkraut, Miso, Cheese, Pickles, Kombucha, and other fermented foods. These friendly guys are the best probiotic food for gut health. They improve digestion and incorporate good bacteria into your gut.
Fuel Their Party With Prebiotics
To feed these good bacteria, and for them not to flush away, add fibre-rich foods to your diet. These prebiotics are bananas, garlic, onions, oats, apples, asparagus, barley, etc. Think of it as giving your gut gang a wholesome buffet every day!
Move Your Body
As we saw the mind and gut connection above, exercise boosts mood, which in turn boosts microbes. A simple 30-minute walk, run, or shake can make your gut feel less grumpy and your brain less cloudy.
Mindful Moments
Do meditation, Yoga, journaling, and deep breathing exercises to calm your inner self. When you stress less, it helps you rebalance your gut-mind connection.
Human Connection is the Best Medicine
According to a very thorough study on the essential role of social connectedness in human life, those who have stable & supportive relationships have better physical health than those who don’t. (Research).
If you’re asking how to overcome loneliness and depression, take baby steps. Small acts of kindness like texting a friend, hugging someone, or talking release oxytocin, a hormone that heals the mind. Real Connection to a real person is healing. And no, Instagram scrolling does not count!
Final Thoughts
People and microorganisms both have a major similarity. They both thrive in community and die in isolation. Humans are social creatures. And it seems our gut bacteria are as well. To build a healthy gut microbiome, you need to stress less and eat probiotic + prebiotic food more.
All the food you need is mentioned above. And also some ways on how to manage stress. So next time you’re feeling low, sad, bloated, anxious, or just not right, please don’t ignore it. There is a real connection between the mind and gut, & your body whispers to you.
Let’s not take our gut feeling lightly and help our body.
🧡 TL; DR (Too Lazy To Read All of it? Don’t Worry, I Got You)
Here’s a quick glance at the mind and gut connection by BioBalancehub:
- Your gut and mind are best friends. They have a real connection and talk all day.
- Loneliness, stress, and anxiety reduce good bacteria numbers in your gut.
- Bad bacteria in your gut lead to stress and loneliness.
- You can fix it by adding probiotic food for gut health. Along with fibrous food, exercise, and real human connections.
- Your mental health matters. And your gut is listening & it reacts!
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