Gut bacteria have the power to influence our brain through the production of various neurotransmitters. Our mood, memory, motivation or peace of mind are all dependent on these neurotransmitters, and therefore also on our gut microbiome. Here is a summary table of bacterial production of neurotransmitters.
- Acetylcholine increases attention, concentration, short-term memory, improves learning and brain plasticity, and prevents headaches. It also regulates the heart rate and helps digestion. Supplementation of vitamins B6, B9, B12 and choline (as in eggs) also increase acetylcholine levels.
- Dopamine plays important roles in executive functions (cognition, attention, working memory, reasoning, problem solving, and planning), motor control, motivation, arousal, reinforcement, and reward. It also increases the appetite and inhibits norepinephrine release. L-Tyrosine and L-Phenylalanine supplements also increase dopamine.
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) helps us relax and be zen. It reduces stress and anxiety. So if you are stressed you need probiotics or yoghurt enriched in Bifido-bacterium (Activa) or Lactobacillus (Actimel, Yakult). A combination of glutamine and various herbal supplements (green tea, valerian, passiflora, hop) has been shown to increase GABA levels.
- Norepinephrine (aka Noradrenaline) is an excitatory neurotransmitter that increases arousal and alertness, promotes vigilance, enhances formation and retrieval of memory, and focuses attention. It also increases heart rate and blood pressure.
- Serotonin is the feel good neurotransmitters. It elevates the mood, sexual desire and function, increase appetite, improves sleep, memory and learning, regulates body temperature, and influences some social behaviour. Most Enterococci and Escherichia and some Streptococci species tend to be pathogenic, so the best way to increase serotonin is through 5-HTP supplementation (5-HTP is a chemical precursor of serotonin).
Bacteria | Neurotransmitters |
Bacillus | Dopamine, norepinephrine |
Bifido-bacterium | Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) |
Enterococcus | Serotonin |
Escherichia | Norepinephrine, serotonin |
Lactobacillus | Acetylcholine, GABA |
Streptococcus | Serotonin |
- Acetylcholine increases attention, concentration, short-term memory, improves learning and brain plasticity, and prevents headaches. It also regulates the heart rate and helps digestion. Supplementation of vitamins B6, B9, B12 and choline (as in eggs) also increase acetylcholine levels.
- Dopamine plays important roles in executive functions (cognition, attention, working memory, reasoning, problem solving, and planning), motor control, motivation, arousal, reinforcement, and reward. It also increases the appetite and inhibits norepinephrine release. L-Tyrosine and L-Phenylalanine supplements also increase dopamine.
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) helps us relax and be zen. It reduces stress and anxiety. So if you are stressed you need probiotics or yoghurt enriched in Bifido-bacterium (Activa) or Lactobacillus (Actimel, Yakult). A combination of glutamine and various herbal supplements (green tea, valerian, passiflora, hop) has been shown to increase GABA levels.
- Norepinephrine (aka Noradrenaline) is an excitatory neurotransmitter that increases arousal and alertness, promotes vigilance, enhances formation and retrieval of memory, and focuses attention. It also increases heart rate and blood pressure.
- Serotonin is the feel good neurotransmitters. It elevates the mood, sexual desire and function, increase appetite, improves sleep, memory and learning, regulates body temperature, and influences some social behaviour. Most Enterococci and Escherichia and some Streptococci species tend to be pathogenic, so the best way to increase serotonin is through 5-HTP supplementation (5-HTP is a chemical precursor of serotonin).