No, it’s not some sort of horror/science fiction movie. Real studies have shown that the bacteria (aka flora) in our guts have a large impact upon our moods.

Scientists have found that mice without normal gut flora show far more signs of anxiety than mice who have normal microbial colonies living in their intestines.

This seems to be due to signals relayed to the brain through the hormonal link between the adrenal glands and the hypothalamus and pituitary.

Perhaps part of the key to reducing your stress and anxiety is to take a probiotic, or eat some good, traditionally fermented foods like tub-set yoghurt, sauerkrat and kim chi…. Tessa

Source: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2982.2010.01620.x/abstract