Science Savvy is a podcast where I, Carmen, break down the fascinating science behind everyday life. With my background in pharmacology and biomedical engineering, I explore topics ranging from how our brains work to the science behind emotions, habits, and more. Each episode is designed to make complex scientific concepts accessible and fun, helping you better understand the world (and yourself)! Whether you’re a science lover or just curious, Science Savvy offers bite-sized insights that fit right into your day.
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Science Savvy is a podcast where I, Carmen, break down the fascinating science behind everyday life. With my background in pharmacology and biomedical engineering, I explore topics ranging from how our brains work to the science behind emotions, habits, and more. Each episode is designed to make complex scientific concepts accessible and fun, helping you better understand the world (and yourself)! Whether you’re a science lover or just curious, Science Savvy offers bite-sized insights that fit right into your day.
You Are What You Eat: The Gut Microbiome Shapes Mood, Health, and Behavior
Science Savvy
33 minutes 41 seconds
11 months ago
You Are What You Eat: The Gut Microbiome Shapes Mood, Health, and Behavior
Welcome to the Gut Health episode, part of Science Savvy with Carmen. In this episode, I explore how your gut microbiome does so much more than support digestion. With my background in pharmacology and biomedical engineering, I break down the science behind the gut-brain connection and unpack how it shows up in your daily life.
This episode covers how gut bacteria influence your mood, mental health, immune function, and even decision-making. I share fascinating research on the relationship between the microbiome and depression, explain the biological pathways linking your gut to your brain, and offer practical tips for improving gut health through diet and lifestyle. Whether you're curious about probiotics, interested in the science of mood, or simply want to understand your body better, this episode offers clear and engaging insights grounded in real research.
Science Savvy helps you understand the systems shaping your thoughts, health, and behavior. If you're ready to explore your body and brain with a little more clarity, you're in the right place.
Further reading and references:
Bercik, P., & Collins, S. M. (2014). The effects of the microbiota on the central nervous system and behavioral disorders. Gastroenterology, 146(6), 1449-1458. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2014.02.037Cryan, J. F., & Dinan, T. G. (2012). Mind-altering microorganisms: The impact of the gut microbiota on brain and behaviour. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13(10), 701-712. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3346Foster, J. A., Rinaman, L., & Cryan, J. F. (2017). Stress and the gut-brain axis: Regulation by the microbiome. Neurobiology of Stress, 7, 124-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynstr.2017.03.001Mayer, E. A., Padua, D., & Tillisch, K. (2014). Altered brain-gut axis in autism: Comorbidity or causative mechanisms. BioEssays, 36(10), 933-939. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.201400075Clarke, G., Stilling, R. M., Kennedy, P. J., Stanton, C., Cryan, J. F., & Dinan, T. G. (2014). Minireview: Gut microbiota: The neglected endocrine organ. Molecular Endocrinology, 28(8), 1221-1238. https://doi.org/10.1210/me.2014-1108Sampson, T. R., & Mazmanian, S. K. (2015). Control of brain development, function, and behavior by the microbiome. Cell Host & Microbe, 17(5), 565-576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2015.04.011O'Mahony, S. M., Clarke, G., Dinan, T. G., & Cryan, J. F. (2015). Early-life adversity and brain development: Is the microbiome a missing piece of the puzzle. Neuroscience, 342, 37-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.09.068Ridaura, V. K., et al. (2013). Gut microbiota from twins discordant for obesity modulate metabolism in mice. Science, 341(6150), 1241214. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1241214Dash, S., Clarke, G., Berk, M., & Jacka, F. N. (2015). The gut microbiome and diet in psychiatry: Focus on depression. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 28(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000117Madra, M., & Ringel, Y. (2015). The role of probiotics in treating irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, 44(1), 159-175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gtc.2014.11.013Jacka, F. N., et al. (2017). A randomized controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the SMILES trial). BMC Medicine, 15, 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-017-0791-yStaudacher, H. M., et al. (2017). Probiotic and prebiotic mechanisms to improve mental health via the gut-brain axis. Current Opinion in Pharmacology, 38, 69-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coph.2018.03.008Kong, X., et al. (2020). Probiotics supplementation during antibiotic treatment reduces the risk of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 115(6), 921-929. https://doi.org/10.14309/ajg.0000000000000601Mills, J. P., et al. (2017). The impact of cesarean delivery on the diversity of the infant gut microbiome. Microbial Ecology in Health & Disease, 28(1), 13777. https://doi.org
Science Savvy
Science Savvy is a podcast where I, Carmen, break down the fascinating science behind everyday life. With my background in pharmacology and biomedical engineering, I explore topics ranging from how our brains work to the science behind emotions, habits, and more. Each episode is designed to make complex scientific concepts accessible and fun, helping you better understand the world (and yourself)! Whether you’re a science lover or just curious, Science Savvy offers bite-sized insights that fit right into your day.
