Body & Mind · Gut–Brain
The gut–brain axis, in plain language
An APA Monitor overview of what the gut–brain research actually shows — and where consumer marketing has gotten ahead of the science.
American Psychological Association7 min read
The gut–brain axis is real, the microbiome influences mood-relevant neurotransmitters, and the literature is genuinely interesting. It is also one of the most over-claimed areas in popular mental health writing, with probiotic products routinely sold as treatments for conditions the underlying research does not support.
APA's overview is calibrated. Useful before deciding what to do with the Instagram ads.
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A note on this article
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