Gut microbes are part of the unconscious system influencing behavior.

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Collective unconscious: How gut microbes shape human behavior


Highlights

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Gut microbes are part of the unconscious system influencing behavior.

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Microbes majorly impact on cognitive function and fundamental behavior patterns.

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Disorganisation of the gut microbiota can negatively impact on mental health.

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Psychobiotics are probiotics with a potential mental health benefit.

Conclusion

During the course of evolution, multicellular life emerged from unicellular life forms. The latter remain the dominant life form on the planet and often exist in a symbiotic or parasitic relationship with multicellular life. The nature of such relationships can have a major influence on the life cycle of plants and animals. Here, we propose that the development of a complex gut microbiota in mammals has played an important role in enabling brain development, especially in terms of cognitive function and fundamental behavior patterns, such as facilitating social interaction and effectively dealing with environmental stressors. Thus, future studies of how gut microbes contribute to the function of their host on all levels will play an important role in advancing understanding of disorders of cognitive functioning as well as disorders of social interaction such as autism and a variety of stress-related conditions. Within a relatively short period of time, results of clinical trials of probiotics (psychobiotics) and prebiotics in the treatment of common psychiatric disorders will be available.

Full Article (Long) - https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...22395615000655