3 ms·

The gut (many say is ~70% of our immune system) is strongly linked to our psychological health. So, I don't see this as a surprise. The next question is what st

The gut (many say is ~70% of our immune system) is strongly linked to our psychological health. So, I don't see this as a surprise. The next question is what strains of bacteria tend to effect what in certain people? I don't think this will be answered quickly nor easily. The gut is crazy complicated.

visarga 11y ago
There is another explanation that is simpler. The gut is also lined up with nerve cells. They form the enteric nervous system, containing more neurons than the spinal cord. It's also called the second brain. Its function is to assist digestion by analyzing the food we eat and triggering reflexes. More than 90% of the body's serotonin lies in the gut, as well as about 50% of the body's dopamine. So, that is why there is a strong link between the brain and the gut, and it explains why we feel so strongly our emotions in the gut. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enteric_nervous_system https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enteric_nervous_system
- heimatau 11y ago
  Nerve cells? Sure. But...probiotics play a major role in anxiety/depression and other psych issues. There isn't a ton of research but it's fairly clear that the bacteria in the gut contribute to a person's psych well-being. Various sources: https://www.google.com/#q=probiotics+psychological+effects+site:.gov+OR+site:.edu https://www.google.com/#q=probiotics+psychological+effects+s...
cpncrunch 11y ago
Article doesnt mention the gut or bacteria.
- heimatau 11y ago
  With 70% of your immune system being the gut...it's implied. Decent source: https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/17811/is-70-of-your-immune-system-located-in-your-gut https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/17811/is-70-of-...
  - cpncrunch 11y ago
    Yes but the article is talking about the immune system within the brain.
    - deleted 11y ago
      [deleted]
pygy_ 11y ago
Both anorexia nervosa and bulimia are likely linked to a single E. coli protein and the immune reaction against it. The clinical presentation depends on whether the antibodies end up acting as agonists or antagonists of the receptor the bacterial protein targets. There's experimental (causative) evidence in rodents and correlations in humans. http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v4/n10/full/tp201498a.html http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v4/n10/full/tp201498a.html
- Kenji 11y ago
  Does that mean anorexia and bulimia could be treated with antibiotics that would cut back the population of bacteria that excrete this protein?
  - pygy_ 11y ago
    Maybe a total wipe of the gut flora followed by an appropriate (e. coli-free) stool transplant could do it. It's still very early, no clinical data has been published.

visarga 11y ago

There is another explanation that is simpler. The gut is also lined up with nerve cells. They form the enteric nervous system, containing more neurons than the spinal cord. It's also called the second brain. Its function is to assist digestion by analyzing the food we eat and triggering reflexes. More than 90% of the body's serotonin lies in the gut, as well as about 50% of the body's dopamine. So, that is why there is a strong link between the brain and the gut, and it explains why we feel so strongly our emotions in the gut. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enteric_nervous_system https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enteric_nervous_system

heimatau 11y ago
Nerve cells? Sure. But...probiotics play a major role in anxiety/depression and other psych issues. There isn't a ton of research but it's fairly clear that the bacteria in the gut contribute to a person's psych well-being. Various sources: https://www.google.com/#q=probiotics+psychological+effects+site:.gov+OR+site:.edu https://www.google.com/#q=probiotics+psychological+effects+s...

cpncrunch 11y ago

Article doesnt mention the gut or bacteria.

heimatau 11y ago
With 70% of your immune system being the gut...it's implied. Decent source: https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/17811/is-70-of-your-immune-system-located-in-your-gut https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/17811/is-70-of-...
- cpncrunch 11y ago
  Yes but the article is talking about the immune system within the brain.
  - deleted 11y ago
    [deleted]

pygy_ 11y ago

Both anorexia nervosa and bulimia are likely linked to a single E. coli protein and the immune reaction against it. The clinical presentation depends on whether the antibodies end up acting as agonists or antagonists of the receptor the bacterial protein targets. There's experimental (causative) evidence in rodents and correlations in humans. http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v4/n10/full/tp201498a.html http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v4/n10/full/tp201498a.html

Kenji 11y ago
Does that mean anorexia and bulimia could be treated with antibiotics that would cut back the population of bacteria that excrete this protein?
- pygy_ 11y ago
  Maybe a total wipe of the gut flora followed by an appropriate (e. coli-free) stool transplant could do it. It's still very early, no clinical data has been published.