The Gut Microbiota-anxiety Connection: Evidence, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Strategies

The gut-brain axis (GBA), a bidirectional communication system between the gut and the brain, has emerged as a critical player in mental health. The interest in the connection between anxiety disorders (AD) and the gut microbiota is growing. This paper provides an overview of gut microbiota's role in dysregulation in anxiety, including alterations in gut microbiota (dysbiosis), leaky gut, metabolic endotoxemia, and the effect of antipsychotic medications. The mechanisms underlying the gut microbiota-anxiety (GMA) connection, such as neurotransmitter production, immune dysregulation, and GBA communication, are discussed. Furthermore, the paper explores gut microbiota- based therapeutic strategies, including probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and dietary interventions, as potential approaches for anxiety management. This research field's clinical implications and future directions are also examined, underscoring that more studies are needed on gut microbiota's role in anxiety disorders. The conclusion highlights the importance of this ongoing research and the potential for personalized therapeutic interventions, instilling hope and optimism for the future of anxiety management and providing reassurance about the potential for personalized therapeutic interventions in this field.