MODULATION OF THE INTESTINAL MICROBIOTA AND ITS EFFECTS ON MENTAL HEALTH

Abstract

The bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system, known as the gut-brain axis, has established itself as a vital field of study for understanding contemporary mental health. The objective of this study was to review the scientific literature on the effects of gut microbiota modulation on mental health, highlighting pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. To this end, an integrative literature review was conducted in the PubMed, SciELO, and Latindex databases, selecting studies published between 2020 and 2026. The results and discussion demonstrate that intestinal dysbiosis promotes increased epithelial permeability and the translocation of endotoxins, resulting in low-grade neuroinflammation and altered metabolism of neurotransmitters such as serotonin. It was evidenced that diets rich in ultra-processed foods degrade microbial diversity, while the use of psychobiotics and prebiotics showed efficacy in reducing anxiety and depression scores, as well as optimizing signaling via the vagus nerve. It is concluded that mental health is inseparable from intestinal eubiosis, and that microbiome modulation through nutritional support and personalized supplementation constitutes an indispensable therapeutic strategy for modern and integrative psychiatry.