Feeling a little heavier than usual this Blue Monday? That uneasy flutter in your stomach or sudden dip in mood might not just be in your head. There’s growing evidence that gut health plays a powerful role in emotional wellbeing, which is why scientists often refer to the gut as our “second brain”. It has its own nervous system, known as the enteric nervous system (ENS), which communicates directly with the brain.
Living inside the gut is the gut microbiome—a vast, complex community of trillions of microbes and their genetic material. Think of it as your own internal ecosystem. Research suggests that the balance of this system can influence everything from memory and focus to stress levels and mood, and may even affect the risk of anxiety and depression.
