Correlation of the gut microbiome with mental health: biomedical perspectives and implications for holistic therapy
Keywords:
Gut Microbiome, Mental Health, Gut-Brain Axis, Psychobiotics, Holistic TherapyAbstract
Research in the last two decades has shown that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in the regulation of human mental health through the gut-brain axis. The study aims to investigate the biomedical relationship between the composition of the gut microbiota and psychological conditions, as well as to evaluate the potential of holistic therapies based on psychobiotic approaches. Using a systematic literature review method of 30 scientific articles between 2013–2023, it was found that intestinal dysbiosis correlates with mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, through neuroinflammatory pathways and neurotransmitter dysregulation. Four main themes were identified: (1) the role of the gut-brain axis, (2) the production of neurotransmitters by the microbiota, (3) the influence of diet and probiotics on mental state, and (4) the opportunities for the integration of holistic interventions in clinical psychiatry. The study concludes that microbiota-based interventions, such as anti-inflammatory diets and probiotic supplements, can be a promising complementary approach in the therapy of mental disorders. Clinical implications include the importance of integrating microbiome evaluation in psychiatric diagnosis and the development of individually tailored therapies.
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