24/08/2026
Your gut health could be affecting your mood 🧠🌿
The gut and brain are constantly communicating through the gut–brain axis - which means changes in your gut can influence how you feel mentally and emotionally.
Some of the ways gut dysfunction may impact mood include:
• Neurotransmitter production — gut microbes influence pathways involved in serotonin, GABA and dopamine signalling.
• Chronic inflammation — increased intestinal permeability and microbial imbalance can promote systemic inflammation, which may influence brain function and mood.
• Nutrient absorption — poor digestion can affect nutrients needed for healthy neurotransmitter production, including B vitamins, iron, zinc and magnesium.
• Microbiome imbalance — changes in beneficial bacteria and microbial metabolites can alter communication between the gut and brain.
• Stress response — the gut microbiome interacts with the HPA axis, which helps regulate cortisol and our response to stress.
• Vagus nerve signalling — one of the major communication pathways connecting the gut and brain. Chronic stress can reduce vagus nerve function, slowing motility and digestion.
This is why when I’m working with symptoms such as low mood, anxiety, brain fog, poor concentration or fatigue, I’ll often consider what’s happening in the gut too.
Your mental health is complex, and gut health is only one piece of the puzzle — but it can be an important one. 🧠🤍
