Collective unconscious: how gut microbes shape human behavior.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Neuroscience
• Human Microbiome Research

Background:

• The human gut hosts a complex microbial ecosystem weighing approximately 1 kg, comparable to the human brain.
• The gut microbiome's genes vastly outnumber human genes and can produce neuroactive compounds.
• Gut microbes are increasingly recognized as integral to regulating behavior, cognitive function, and stress management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the significant impact of the gut microbiome on cognitive functions and behavior.
• To investigate the role of gut microbes in neurochemistry and their potential link to disorders of cognitive functioning and social interaction.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent investigations into the gut microbiome's influence on the brain.
• Analysis of the neurochemical alterations observed in the absence of gut microbes.
• Exploration of the microbiome's potential role in understanding autism and related disorders.

Main Results:

• Gut microbes significantly impact cognitive function, social interaction, and stress management.
• The absence of gut microbes profoundly alters underlying neurochemistry.
• The microbiome's neuroactive compounds suggest a role in regulating behavior.

Conclusions:

• The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in brain development and sophisticated social interactions.
• Further studies on gut microbes are vital for understanding and potentially treating disorders affecting cognitive functioning and social behavior, such as autism.