News — anxiety and gut health
How Stress Impacts Gut Microbiome: The Gut-Brain Connection Explained
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We often think of stress as something that only affects our minds—causing anxiety, sleepless nights, or mental fatigue. But the reality is far deeper. Chronic stress can disrupt almost every system in the body, and one of its most profound effects is on the gut microbiome—the vast ecosystem of microbes that help regulate digestion, immunity, mood, and metabolism.
Your gut is often called your “second brain,” and for good reason. It’s connected to your central nervous system through a complex network known as the gut-brain axis. When you're stressed, this communication channel can become unbalanced, leading to inflammation, digestive issues, and imbalances in your microbiota. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how stress influences the gut microbiome, what that means for your overall health, and how to protect your gut during high-stress times.