THE INFLUENCE OF THE GUT MICROBIOTA ON MENTAL HEALTH: CORRELATION BETWEEN GUT IMBALANCE, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION

Abstract

The intestinal microbiota plays a fundamental role in maintaining homeostasis and regulating different physiological and psychological processes. In recent years, scientific research has shown the relationship between changes in this microbiota and the development of psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety and depression. This article aims to analyze the influence of the intestinal microbiota on mental health, highlighting how microbial imbalance can compromise the gut-brain axis and directly impact psychological well-being. This is a bibliographic, exploratory and descriptive study, based on articles published between 2015 and 2025 in SciELO, PubMed and LILACS databases. The reviewed literature shows that microbiota imbalance can alter neurotransmitter production, promote systemic inflammation, and interfere with energy metabolism, contributing to the onset and worsening of anxiety and depressive disorders. It is concluded that understanding this correlation is essential to expand knowledge about strategies for prevention and treatment in mental health, considering integrated approaches that include nutritional, pharmacological and psychological therapies.