Wisdom and loneliness can affect gut microbial diversity

It may take enough – or more precisely, a diverse gut midge – to achieve wisdom and avoid loneliness. Or maybe it’s the other way around, describe UC San Diego researchers.

The evolutionary science of wisdom relies on the idea that marked signs of wisdom correspond to specific regions of the brain, and that more wisdom translates into greater joy and satisfaction of life while being less wise. lead to adverse effects.

Scientists have found in multiple studies that people who are seen as smarter are less likely to feel lonely while those who are more lonely are also less likely to be so smart.

In a new study, published in the March 25, 2021 issue of the journal Boundaries in Psychology, researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine take the link between wisdom, loneliness and biology further, reporting that wisdom and loneliness seem to have an effect -; and / or affected by -; microbial diversity of the stalk.

The human gut microbiota is made up of trillions of microbes -; bacteria, viruses, fungi -; which resides within the digestive tract. Researchers have known for some time about the “gut-brain axis,” which is a complex network that connects intestinal function to the brain’s emotional and cognitive centers.

This two-way communication system is regulated by neural activity, hormones, and the immune system; changes can lead to disturbances of stress and behavioral response, the authors said, from emotional stress to high-level mental abilities, such as decision-making.

Previous studies have linked gut microbiota to mental health disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, as well as personality traits and psychology that are seen as key components of established wisdom. on biological. Recent research has linked gut microbes to social behavior, leading to conclusions that people with larger social networks have more diverse gut microbes.

The new Boundaries in Psychology the study consisted of 187 participants, ages 28 to 97, who completed validated self-reported measures based on loneliness, wisdom, empathy, social support, and social inclusion.

The gut microbiota was studied using fecal samples. Gut microbial diversity was measured in two ways: alpha-diversity, referring to the ecological richness of microbial species within each individual, and beta-diversity, referring to the inte- differences in microbial community mix between individuals.

“We found that lower levels of loneliness and higher levels of wisdom, empathy, social support, and participation were associated with increased phylogenetic richness and diversity of gut midges,” the first author said. Tanya T. Nguyen, Ph.D., assistant professor. of psychiatry at the UC San Diego School of Medicine.

The authors stated that the mechanisms by which loneliness, empathy, and wisdom may be associated with gut microbial diversity are unknown, but found that reduced microbial diversity generally represents health. worse physically and mentally, and is associated with a number of diseases, including obesity, inflammation. bowel disease, and major depressive disorder.

A more diverse gut microbiota may be more susceptible to attack by external pathogens, which may contribute to and help promote better stability and stability in the community.

“It is possible that loneliness can lead to reduced stability of the gut midge and, as a result, a reduction in stress and tolerance to stress-related disorders, leading to physical effects downstream, such as systemic inflammation. , “the authors wrote.

“Bacterial communities with low alpha diversity may not exhibit open disease, but they may be below the optimal level for disease prevention. Therefore, lonely individuals may be more likely to developing various diseases. “

The relationship between loneliness and microbial diversity was particularly strong in older adults, suggesting that older adults may be particularly at risk from health-related loneliness, which is consistent with prior research .

On the other hand, the researchers said that social support, empathy and wisdom may provide protection against the instability associated with loneliness of the gut midge. Healthy, diverse gut microflora may counteract the negative effects of heart pressure or help shape social behaviors that promote wisdom or loneliness.

They noted that animal studies suggest that gut microbiota may influence social behavior and interactions, although the hypothesis has not been confirmed in humans.

The complexity of the topic and study limitations, such as lack of data on people’s social networks, diet, and the level of rational social isolation contrasted with loneliness thematic reports, arguing for larger, longer studies, the authors wrote.

Loneliness can lead to changes in the midges of the gut or, correspondingly, changes in the gut milieu can lead to loneliness. We need to do a more in-depth study to better understand the finesse of the brain-to-brain axis. “

Dilip V. Jeste, MD, Senior Research Fellow and Distinguished Professor in Psychology and Neurosciences, University of California San Diego School of Medicine

Source:

University of California – San Diego

Magazine Reference:

Nguyen, TT, et al. (2021) Society of Loneliness and Wisdom with Microbial Gut Diversity and Shape: A Study Study. Boundaries in Psychology. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.648475.

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