When the body experiences stress, it can cause a waterfall of events that are specially designed to help us escape danger or harm.
The body shuts down all its non-essential activities like digestion, reproduction, and even sexual desire.
A chemical is sent directly to its resources and energy to the muscles and brain.
This causes repercussions for the microbiome, too.
Gut bacteria produce and regulate important substances for mental health, like serotonin (the happy hormone) and GABA.
The gut microbiome makes happy chemicals for your body.
Serotonin helps communication between the brain and the nervous system (this also involves regulating bowel movements, nausea, bone health, and sleep.). When your body has enough serotonin it regulates mood, happiness, and anxiety, but if the serotonin levels get low, it can cause stress, anxiety, and depression.
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) is a less commonly know neurotransmitter, but research indicates that it plays a role in regulating and improving mood. Strong emotional responses excite the nervous system, and this is where GABA comes in: it acts as a relaxant by counteracting the effects of excessive stimulation.
Gut microbes can also influence GABA, but rather than influencing the work of our cells, several strains of probiotic bacteria can actually make GABA.
The gut has receptors and transporter proteins that allow GABA to cross into the body where its relaxant properties influence the central nervous system and brain.
Using probiotics will help to support the body’s needs and create more serotonin and GABA. This is important when dealing with stress levels and the need to replenish our microbiome.
Do you feel you need to support your serotonin and GABA levels?
