Can your gut bacteria influence your emotions and behaviour? Learn about research into the relationship between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system: the gut-brain connection.
Consuming probiotics, the beneficial bacteria found in yogurt and other fermented foods, can help your digestion by reducing the growth of harmful bacteria in your gut. And probiotic supplements are increasingly available over the counter as an alternative to eating probiotic-rich foods. But did you know about the relationship between your gastrointestinal tract and your central nervous system? Probiotics may affect our appetite, our mood, our sleep habits, and the symptoms of a variety of mental health disorders.
Researchers are studying how we react to different probiotics, as well as how probiotics interact with other treatments. Since we can each be affected differently by the same disorder a “one-size-fits-all” treatment is unlikely, but the research is fascinating! In honour of Science Literacy Week the KFPL Live monthly speakers’ series will host a presentation on The Gut-Brain Connection: Fact or Fiction?
Caroline Wallace is a PhD student in the Centre for Neuroscience Studies at Queen’s University who is running a study examining the effects of a probiotic supplement on symptoms of depression. KFPL is hosting Caroline and special guests PhD candidates Kasia Szyszkowics from McGill University and Ana Santos from Carleton University as they discuss the connection between the gut and the brain, and how diet and nutrition can affect our mental health through the microbes in our gut.
Registration is required for this program.
Interested in other Science Literacy Week programs? Check out:
AGE GROUP: | Seniors | New Adults | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Interests & Lifelong Learning |
