Gut Feeling
Do you get butterflies in your stomach when you\u2019re excited? Feel nauseated when you\u2019re nervous? Get a knot in your gut when you're worried something bad is going to happen? Then you\u2019ve experienced what\u2019s called the gut-brain axis: a powerful connection between your brain and your stomach. And, if you\u2019ve been on wellness social media over the last few years, you\u2019ve probably heard that you can hijack this connection to help heal a whole host of mental illnesses, from taking probiotics for PTSD to treating depression with diet. But how much of this is science, and how much is modern-day snake oil? With the help of gastroenterologists, psychologists, and yes, the U.S. military, Gastropod is here to investigate! The answer involves prescription kefir, a trip to an Army base to play video games, and the trials and tribulations of some very melancholy mice\u2014not to mention lots and LOTS of microbes. Listen in for the scoop on how tweaking your gut microbes can change your mind. (But, for your own health, please don\u2019t drink every time we mention our favorite topic during this episode!)\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices