Addictions are a very difficult type of disorder to deal with because of the multiplicity of factors that influence them, so it does not stop the investigation of its possible mechanisms and treatments, today much is known about the mechanisms that produce them, but interesting results that can be very relevant, such as the role of the microbiota in abstinence in the fight against addictions , they keep popping up.
The microbiota is the set of microbes present in the mouth, vagina, skin and intestines, this body ecosystem has already been linked to other pathologies such as autism, Parkinson’s disease, anxiety and schizophrenia, which apparently also contributes to the development of addictions. .
- We now know that the digestive tract has its own nervous system.
- The enteric nervous system.
- Which is composed of more than 500 million neurons.
- So it communicates with the central nervous system (CNS).
- Contributing to the functioning and balance of the brain.
Communication between these two systems is dynamic and bidirectional, so the microbiota can alter the neural activity of the brain and vice versa; however, the influence is not direct, as the brain is protected by the blood brain barrier. neurotransmitters would act through cells in the intestinal wall, causing them to communicate with the CNS.
In this sense, it has been found that the enteric nervous system is able to produce most of the neurotransmitters we have, such as Dopamine, GABA and Serotonin.
Substance dependence occurs because they activate the brain’s reward center, stimulating the secretion of neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, which produces a very pleasant feeling that the brain gets used to quickly, requiring more and more doses or amounts.
As noted above, it is now known that the enteric nervous system also produces neurotransmitters such as dopamine and that, when the microbiota is not balanced, it is linked to the development of pathologies, which has aroused interest in the relationship between the microbiota and addictions. , with very impressive results.
A study was published in 2014 that analyzed the relationship between gut bacteria and alcohol dependence and analyzed whether there was a change in intestinal permeability and microbiota in people with alcoholism, and whether this was related to the symptoms of addiction.
Thus, people who developed permeable bowel syndrome, which causes increased intestinal permeability, were found to have higher levels of anxiety and more severe withdrawal syndrome.
In addition, the composition of the microbiota and its activity have been modified. The researchers concluded that, depending on alcohol, the microbiota plays an important role, especially in the risk of relapse.
The relationship between food dependence and the microbiota has also been studied by analyzing the faeces of healthy people, their BMI and their brain imaging, for this purpose researchers focused on metabolites, which are caused by the degradation of Tryptophan, an amino acid found. in many foods and which, after decomposition, is converted into Serotonin and therefore influences mood and behavior.
This process has two implications. On the one hand, Tryptophan, when degraded by gut bacteria, is eliminated in faeces; on the other hand, when degraded, Tryptophan is transformed into indole, a metabolite involved in the gut-brain axis.
For example, researchers found that indole was linked to a higher degree of obesity and a more uncontrolled food intake, due to its action in the reward system, especially in circuits related to brain amygdala.
These results offer a different perspective on addictions as well as possible new treatments. Can restoring the balance of intestinal flora alleviate some of the main aspects of addiction?
Some researchers suggest, for example, intervening on intestinal hormones; others, on the other hand, offer treatments that, although simple and used in Chinese medicine, can be very impressive.
This is the case with fecal microbiota transplantation, which would consist mainly of a stool transplant, in which microorganisms from a healthy donor would be administered in the intestine of a receiving patient.
So far, the effectiveness of this treatment has only been proven in recurrent colitis, so its application in other pathologies is, for the time being, just an idea. However, the role of microbiota in addiction and other diseases continues to be studied in the hope of finding new forms of treatment.