Digesting Depression: How the Microbiome Affects Your Mind

Did you know the microbes in your gut actually outnumber your human cells? In this episode of the Well Nurtured Brain, Dr. Pamela Hutchison explores the fascinating world of the gut microbiome—a vast community of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms that live in your large intestine and play a major role in both physical and mental health. From birth, our microbiome is shaped by everything from genetics and diet to stress levels, pets, and even sun exposure.

She’ll dive into how this ever-changing ecosystem communicates with the brain through the gut-brain axis, influencing mood, behavior, and potentially even depression. If you enjoyed our episode “Brain Talks: Mind the Gut with Dr. Bretz,” this one takes the conversation even deeper, offering fresh insight into how you can better support your gut for mental well-being.

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Episode References:

Nikolova VL, Cleare AJ, Young AH, Stone JM. Updated Review and Meta-Analysis of Probiotics for the Treatment of Clinical Depression: Adjunctive vs. Stand-Alone Treatment. J Clin Med. 2021;10(4):647. Published 2021 Feb 8. doi:10.3390/jcm10040647