Your Gut Feeling About Anxiety: How Bacteria in Your Intestines Control Fear in Your Brain episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 28, 2026 · 12 MIN

Your Gut Feeling About Anxiety: How Bacteria in Your Intestines Control Fear in Your Brain

from The Psychology of People

Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School have discovered a direct mechanism linking gut bacteria to anxiety. When certain bacteria metabolize food, they produce molecules called indoles that travel to the brain's fear center and dial down anxiety. This research opens the door to treating mental health with probiotics instead of traditional medications. This episode was generated with AI assistance.

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Your Gut Feeling About Anxiety: How Bacteria in Your Intestines Control Fear in Your Brain

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This episode was published on April 28, 2026.

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Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School have discovered a direct mechanism linking gut bacteria to anxiety. When certain bacteria metabolize food, they produce molecules called indoles that travel to the brain's fear center and dial down anxiety. This...

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