Category: Gut brain axis

While the brain produces about 5% of the body's serotonin, a staggering 95% is produced in the gut. This critical neurotransmitter, involved in mood regulation, sleep, and appetite, can be negatively impacted by poor dietary choices, leading many to ask: does junk food lower serotonin?.

With up to 95% of the body's serotonin produced in the gut, the science of 'happy' foods is grounded in the intricate gut-brain axis. This article explores how nutrition directly influences mood and mental well-being, moving beyond anecdotal evidence to uncover the powerful biochemical pathways at play.

According to research, the health of your gut and the function of your vagus nerve are intimately connected, influencing everything from digestion to mood. A targeted nutritional approach can optimize this crucial gut-brain communication pathway, promoting a state of calm and well-being.

The gut-brain axis is a powerful communication network, and recent research increasingly highlights its role in a variety of neurological and psychiatric conditions. A topic of growing interest is whether specific dietary components, particularly gluten, can cause hyperactivity.

Research indicates that certain psychobiotic strains, such as *Lactobacillus plantarum* PS128, can have profound effects on the central nervous system by modulating the gut-brain axis. This probiotic, isolated from fermented Taiwanese vegetables, has demonstrated potential therapeutic benefits for a range of conditions, from autism and Parkinson's disease to general stress and anxiety in humans.

Research has shown that people with functional bowel problems, like IBS, often experience a higher-than-normal percentage of anxiety. This connection is largely due to the gut-brain axis, and understanding what foods worsen anxiety stomach issues is key to managing both your mental state and digestive comfort.

According to research published in *Neuroscience Letters*, butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid produced by gut bacteria, can improve brain health by influencing gene expression. This has led to growing interest in the question: is butyrate good for the brain? The answer, based on a wealth of recent evidence, points toward a resounding yes, though the mechanisms are complex.

According to Beyond Celiac, nearly 90% of individuals with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity report experiencing brain fog. This common symptom, often characterized by difficulty concentrating and mental fatigue, prompts many to ask: 'Does wheat give you brain fog?'

Research in 2025 indicated that fermented foods, including miso, may help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms by influencing gut bacteria and brain chemistry. This exciting finding is just one piece of a larger puzzle exploring whether miso soup is good for anxiety and overall mental health.

An estimated 50% of the body's dopamine is produced in the gut by enterochromaffin cells and certain gut bacteria. This raises a critical question: do probiotics increase dopamine and thereby influence mood, motivation, and cognitive function? Emerging research into the gut-brain axis provides compelling, albeit complex, answers.