The role of Gut Instinct and the Gut Microbiome (GM) in Psychotherapy
Learning Objectives
- Role of gut instinct in shaping behaviour
- How this can be harnessed in psychotherapy
- Models of top down and bottom up information processing in psychotherapy
- Integration of this information at the levels of: gut ---- heart-----brain (quintessential model)
- Discussion of recent advances in neuroscience of body-mind-brain interface
Role of Gut microbes
- Optimal brain development and functioning
- Commensal “Cum Mensa” i.e. sharing a table or eating together
- 5HT or serotonin needs microbes to develop
- Social behaviour depends on our bacteria
- Rodents have no bacteria and are known to have ASD type traits
Brain-Gut-Microbiota axis (BGM)
- Central Nervous system or CNS
- Neuro endocrine and neuro immune systems
- ANS sympathetic and parasympathetic arms
- Enteric Nervous System or ENS
- Gut microbiome
- Brain influences gut and vice versa
- Bacteria, archaea,, protozoa, fungi and viruses digest sugars, synthesise vitamins inhibit pathogens
Brain-Gut-Microbiota axis (BGM)
- Paradigm shift in neuroscience
- Dysbiosis in neonate and elderly profoundly effects their body and mind physiology
- Vagus Nerve (wanderer) key mediator
- Description of vagal paradox (Stephen Porges)
- Mechanisms of activation include cytokines IL1 and IL6 which release cortisol via HPA axis
- Confirms inextricable link between mind/body
Parasympathetic system
Parasympathetic system
Parasympathetic system
Gut microbes interact with brain
- Vagus or tenth cranial nerve activates anti inflammatory response protects against sepsis
- Immune system mediates bacterial CNS effects
- Hypothalmic cytokine levels altered impacting on corticotrophic releasing hormone CRH
- CRH peptide regulates hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal axis which is altered in eating, depressive and anxiety disorders
Bacterial interaction with neurotransmitters
- Tryptophan essential amino acid
- Choline Short chain fatty acids and choline
- GABA derives from Lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium
- Noradrenaline derives from Escheria & Bacillus
- 5HT or Serotonin comes from Candida & Streptococcus
- Dopamine comes from Bacillus
- Acetylcholine comes from Lactobacillus
Gut colonization with microbes
- Bacteria 200 common 1000 less common species
- Gut microbiome 100x > genes in human genome
- Microbes in human intestine same weight as brain (1500g)
- How microbes in gut influence health is now a pioneering area of medicine