Life (Basel, Switzerland)

How Gut Bacteria Affect Sleep Problems and Ways to Improve Them

Updated

Abstract

Evidence suggests that the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) may play an important role in insomnia.

  • Gut microbiota and their metabolites could influence sleep-wake patterns through various biological pathways.
  • Insomnia may be linked to alterations in gut microbiota, creating a feedback loop with stress and immune responses.
  • Animal and clinical studies indicate a close association between gut microbial imbalances and insomnia symptoms.
  • Factors such as diet, lifestyle, and medications may affect the functioning of the MGBA.
  • Interventions targeting the MGBA, like dietary changes and probiotics, may offer new strategies for managing insomnia.
  • Current findings are primarily based on animal research and observational studies, indicating a need for more robust clinical trials.

Simplified

Funding

Competing interests

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
PubMed

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