It’s Not Just In Your Head!

If you have ever experienced nausea or tingling in your tummy before a big presentation or an exam, then this one's for you!

Our brain and gut are intrinsically connected, creating what is widely known as the ‘Gut-Brain Axis’ (GBA). The GBA is a two way street - your brain influences your gut and is in turn influenced by the gut microbiome. Remember the tin can telephone that we all made as kids? Imagine one can as the brain and the other as the gut. The vagus nerve acts as the string connecting the two. GBA is generally defined as a “bidirectional communication linking emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral intestinal functions”. There are many ways in which the gut and the brain communicate - via neuroendocrine (hormonal) signalling, the immune system, microbial metabolites, and even the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. What it simply means is that the gut microbiome sends out signals to the brain via many different routes as a response to external stimuli. That’s where the exam hall jitters come from!

The gut microbiome too is susceptible to changes induced by the brain. Factors like stress, anxiety, depression, and disturbed circadian rhythm can have an adverse effect on the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome. This loss of beneficial bacteria in the gut will in turn affect the brain health. Trust us, it’s not a cycle you’d want to be trapped in! 

So what can be done? Get your gut microbiome tested here to understand the status of your gut, revamp your diet and lifestyle habits, find ways to manage your mental health, and finally, don’t let anyone tell you that it’s just in your head, because it’s in your guts too!