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The Gut-Brain Connection: Why Serotonin Begins in the Gut


When we think of serotonin, we often associate it with mood regulation and brain function. But did you know that up to 90% of serotonin is actually produced in your gut? This surprising fact underscores the deep connection between your gut health and your mental wellbeing.


What is Serotonin?

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in mood stabilisation, feelings of happiness and sleep patterns. It also influences learning and memory. Traditionally, we thought of serotonin as something that primarily works in the brain, but recent research has identified that the majority is synthesised in the gut, within your digestive system.


The Gut-Brain Axis

The gut and brain are closely linked through the gut-brain axis, a communication network that affects both physical and mental health. This means that issues in your gut—such as imbalances in gut bacteria—can have a direct effect on your mood and mental state. Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders can sometimes stem from, or be exacerbated by, poor gut health.


Why Gut Health Matters for Mental Wellbeing

Low levels of serotonin may be associated with health conditions including depression, anxiety, sleep problems, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorders, and phobias.


A healthy gut is essential for serotonin production. Diet, stress and lifestyle choices all influence the health of your gut microbiome, which in turn affects your brain. Many people aren’t aware that improving gut health through balanced nutrition, stress management and even probiotics can lead to better mental health outcomes.


How to Support Your Gut for Mental Health

  • Eat a balanced diet rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and fermented foods

  • Manage stress through mindfulness practices like meditation or deep breathing

  • Exercise regularly to support digestion and reduce stress

  • Get more sunlight to help release melatonin and cortisol

  • Consider probiotics to enhance the diversity of gut bacteria


By understanding the gut-brain connection, you can take a more holistic approach to your mental wellbeing. The Positive Pathways Wellbeing Program delves into the impact of gut health on mental health, offering practical tools to improve both.


Join us on October 24-25 for a deep dive into holistic wellbeing, where we explore the 8 Dimensions of Wellbeing, including how the gut-brain connection influences your overall wellness.



  1. Mayer, E. A., Knight, R., Mazmanian, S. K., Cryan, J. F., & Tillisch, K. (2014). "Gut Microbes and the Brain: Paradigm Shift in Neuroscience." Journal of Neuroscience, 34(46), 15490-15496.

  2. Yano, J. M., Yu, K., Donaldson, G. P., et al. (2015). "Indigenous Bacteria from the Gut Microbiota Regulate Host Serotonin Biosynthesis." Cell, 161(2), 264-276.

  3. Fung, T. C., Olson, C. A., & Hsiao, E. Y. (2017). "Interactions between the Microbiota, Immune and Nervous Systems in Health and Disease." Nature Neuroscience, 20(2), 145-155.

  4. Clarke, G., Grenham, S., Scully, P., Fitzgerald, P., Moloney, R. D., Shanahan, F., Dinan, T. G., & Cryan, J. F. (2013). "The Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis During Early-Life Regulation of Brain and Behavior." Journal of Neuroscience, 33(45), 17617-17621.

  5. Cani, P. D., & Knauf, C. (2016). "How Gut Microbes Talk to Organs: The Role of Endocrine and Nervous Routes." Molecular Metabolism, 5(9), 743-752.

 
 
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