Gut Bacteria and Anxiety
We always say “I had a gut feeling,” but does our gut really feel about something? Gut and feel? Weird right? To our surprise, it doesn’t only feel but takes care of our health too. The gut, often referred to as the second brain, is known to be connected to our brain through the gut-brain axis. Additionally, research also shows that this connection is influenced by gut microbiota (the microorganisms that reside along our gut, which are responsible for various functions namely, nutrition, drug metabolism, and protection from pathogens). Illustrated by Drishya Unnithan Scientists have linked the influence of gut bacteria not only to our immunity but also to our mental health. Being anxious is a common term used nowadays, and this is characterized as an experience that is the body's response to stress, also termed the “psychological equivalent of physical pain.” A common form of anxiety called “situational anxiety” is often experienced in situations like job interviews, ...