In this video I discuss the connection between your gut bacteria and depression. In your colon there is a garden of microscopic bacteria, fungi and viruses. This collection of organisms is called the gut microbiome. Individually your gut microbiota are minuscule but collectively they weigh about the same as your brain. When fed the right food they become an incredible pharmacy, they produce vital chemicals that are key to your immune system and they produce neurotransmitters such as Gaba and Serotonin. Gaba has a calming effect on the body and mind and Serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating mood, sleep, appetite and pain sensitivity.

🔵 CHAPTERS

0:00 What is the gut microbiome?
0:58 The gut microbiome and depression
2:51 Faecal microbiota transplants
3:39 Psychobiotics
4:13 Antidepressants
5:30 The gut brain axis

🔵 Researchers are moving towards the development of microbiota-based interventions in the treatment of depression. For example, there are now a lot of studies that illustrate how Probiotics reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Now researchers are calling these probiotics, psychobiotics and the main constituent of these psychobiotics is the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus families. Fermented foods that contains lactic acid such as cultured milk and yoghurt products, sauerkraut and sourdough bread have been found to increase levels of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacilli families. Your gut talks to your brain and your brain talks to your gut, the communication is bidirectional. Your gut and brain send messages via your vagus nerve. Your vagus nerve connects the gut and brain, through what is called the gut-brain axis. It communicates information from the gut to the brain using neurotransmitters such as serotonin and glutamate, and gut hormones, all of which play a vital role in sleep, pain, mood, hunger and stress. Suddenly, the idea of having a ‘gut instinct’ makes sense. Have you ever noticed how language is rich with gut based expressions? Have your ever had a gut wrenching experience or butterflies in your stomach. Your emotions, brain and gut are intricately connected. In fact your gut is frequently called your second brain, it even has it own nervous system, the enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system is embedded in the lining of your gastrointestinal tract, beginning in your oesophagus and extending down to your anus.

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🔵 ABOUT TERESA LEWIS

Teresa Lewis is the founder and Director of Lewis Psychology and a Senior Accredited psychotherapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP Snr. Accred). Qualified in 1995, Teresa has been providing counselling and psychotherapy treatment for nearly 30 years. Teresa holds a masters degree in counselling and psychotherapy and is a qualified EMDR Practitioner having completed training accredited with EMDR Europe. Teresa is also a qualified adult educator and an accredited Mindfulness teacher As a recognised expert in her field Teresa is frequently asked to conduct editorial reviews and endorse counselling and psychotherapy books for international publishing houses.

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🔵 GRAPHICS AND THUMBNAIL

Thumbnail and B-Roll graphics designed by Teresa Lewis. B-Roll video is used in strict compliance with the appropriate permissions and licenses required from StoryBlocks.com in accordance with the YouTube Partner Program, Community guidelines and YouTube terms of service.