Research has found that there is a direct link between the microbes in your gut and an increased social fear and anxiety – but there are certain things you can do to help
Experts say upping your intake of two specific food types could help ease social anxiety, following a study that found a connection between gut bacteria health and anxiety levels. Intriguing research has unearthed a potential link between social anxiety disorder and the microorganisms residing in our guts.
Scientists transferred microbes from the faeces of individuals with social anxiety disorder into healthy mice, which led to the rodents showing heightened social fear responses – especially when meeting other mice.
Professor John Cryan, who co-authored the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, said: “The main point is we need to look after our microbes, especially throughout development and even in adulthood, to keep the social brain working appropriately.”
The researchers compared gut microbiomes from six anxious individuals to those of six healthy counterparts through DNA analysis, finding significant differences. After administering antibiotics to 72 mice to eliminate their native microbiomes, they introduced the human samples.
The mice then faced various tests, including social interactions, reports Wales Online. The mice were given mild electric shocks when meeting other mice, to create a fear response.
The healthy mice recovered after the shocks were stopped, but the mice with ‘anxious’ bacteria did not.
The mice that received microbiomes from anxious people showed alterations in three bacterial types and exhibited fear in approaching other mice even when there were no electric shocks, unlike those given ‘healthy’ microbiomes. Cryan said: “They never fully recovered to be able to be social again.”
The study discovered that the experiment altered hormonal and immune responses in the mice, indicating that gut microbes directly influence heightened social fear and anxiety. Cryan said: “Increasing the amount of fibre and fermented foods in the diet may have beneficial effects.”
Boosting the amount of fibre in your diet, and eating fermented food like kimchi, keffir and sauerkraut as well as some cheeses, could reduce your levels of anxiety.
