Intestinal barrier damage caused by addictive substance use disorder

Addictive substance use disorder has a wide range of effects on the intestinal barrier, including damage to the biological, chemical, mechanical, and immune barriers. Damage to the intestinal barrier caused by addictive substance use disorder allows harmful substances and bacteria to cross the intestinal barrier into the circulatory system, leading to systemic inflammatory responses and immune imbalances. In addition, the interaction between the gut flora and the central nervous system is recognized as an important component of the gut-brain axis. Gut barrier damage leads to dysbiosis, which in turn affects brain function by activating immune cells and releasing inflammatory factors. This may lead to altered mood and cognitive function, increased addictive substance cravings, and dependence. Recent research has indicated that reshaping the gut-brain axis and adjusting the composition and abundance of gut microbiota holds promise in alleviating withdrawal symptoms with addictive substance dependence. This article reviews the effects of addictive substance use disorder on the intestinal barrier and explores the possibility of improving addictive substance dependence by treating gut barrier damage.