The available evidence suggests that stress can have significant impacts on the gut microbiome, leading to changes in the composition, diversity, and metabolic profile of the gut microbiome. These stress-induced alterations in the gut microbiome can have far-reaching consequences for the host, including the development of various physical and mental health disorders. The gut microbiome and the stress response system are closely intertwined, with a bidirectional relationship that is modulated by a variety of factors, including diet, drugs, and early life experiences. Understanding the complex interactions between stress, the gut microbiome, and the host is crucial for developing effective interventions to promote overall health and well-being.
Here is a synthesis of the key published research:
- Jose et al. (2018) Stress can induce oxidative stress in the gut microbiome, which can decrease the production of important secondary metabolites like folate in gut bacteria (Jose et al., 2018). This suggests that stress can directly impact the metabolic profile of the gut microbiome.
- (Pawluski et al., 2023). Maternal stress during pregnancy has been shown to disrupt the temporal and spatial dynamics of the maternal and offspring gut microbiome, including changes in the production of secondary metabolites (Jašarević et al., 2017). This highlights how stress can have transgenerational effects on the gut microbiome and its metabolic outputs.
- (Ramsteijn et al., 2020). The gut microbiome is closely linked to the production of secondary metabolites that can influence host health, such as neurotransmitters, short-chain fatty acids, and antimicrobial compounds (He, 2024; Coley et al., 2021; Reber et al., 2016). Stress-induced changes in the gut microbiome can therefore alter the production of these key secondary metabolites.
- (Levin et al., 2016). Dietary factors, such as the consumption of black raspberries, can modulate the gut microbiome’s metabolic profile, including the production of secondary metabolites (Tu et al., 2020; Tu et al., 2018). This suggests that the gut microbiome’s secondary metabolite production is a dynamic process that can be influenced by both environmental stressors and dietary interventions
- (Jašarević et al., 2015). Drugs, such as morphine, can also induce changes in the gut microbiome and its associated metabolome, including the production of secondary metabolites (Wang et al., 2018). This indicates that a wide range of stressors, both environmental and pharmacological, can impact the gut microbiome’s secondary metabolite profile.
- Stress can lead to increased production of secondary bile acids by the gut microbiome, which have been linked to inflammation and the development of conditions like colorectal cancer (Zeng et al., 2019).
- Stress has also been found to impact the production of other microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, hydrogen sulfide, and acetaldehyde, which can have important implications for host health (Xu et al., 2022; Xu, 2023).
The mechanisms by which stress influences the gut microbiome and its metabolic output are complex and multifaceted. Stress can alter the gut environment, impact host-microbe interactions, and disrupt the homeostatic balance of the microbiome (Jose et al., 2018; Pawluski et al., 2023; Ramsteijn et al., 2020; Levin et al., 2016; Jašarević et al., 2015; Stichelen et al., 2019; Jahnke et al., 2021). These changes, in turn, can lead to shifts in the production of various secondary metabolites by the gut microbes (Tu et al., 2020; Hemmings et al., 2017; Wang et al., 2018; Liu et al., 2020; He, 2024).
The gut microbiome and its metabolic profile are closely linked to the host’s stress response system, with a bidirectional relationship that is modulated by factors such as diet, drugs, and early life experiences (He, 2024; Coley et al., 2021; Agusti, 2023; Noguera et al., 2018). Alterations in this gut-brain axis can have significant consequences for the host’s physical and mental health (He, 2024; Coley et al., 2021; Agusti, 2023).
