Adolescence is a key period of developmental change. Besides infancy and early childhood, adolescents experience the biggest changes to how their brain is shaped and function. This brings with it emotional, social, and cognitive development.
At the same time, adolescents also encounter changes in their lives and their role in society. They may move from school to university, change friendship groups, and take on more home and community responsibilities. Adolescence is also a time of identity exploration when young people search for their values, goals, and sense of belonging.
This unique combination of internal and external changes also makes adolescents especially vulnerable to mental health conditions. In fact, half of all adult mental illnesses begin by early adolescence. This means that identifying, preventing, and treating mental health symptoms in teenagers is fundamental for their lasting well-being.
What Is the Microbiota?
There are probably around 100 trillion bacteria in the gut of every young person. These bacteria, known as the microbiota, exist in a symbiotic relationship with our bodies. They help us digest food and receive nutrients that would otherwise be inaccessible, while our guts provide a rich and protected habitat.
But the role of gut bacteria goes much further than this, with far-reaching consequences for the physical and mental health of young people.
How Do the Gut Bacteria Affect Adolescent Mental Health?
Mental health conditions are often triggered or underpinned by times of stress and adversity. This can contribute to the development of disorders like borderline personality disorder or eating disorders. It can also contribute to mood disorders like anxiety or depression.
We now know that stressful events have an important effect on young people’s gut bacteria (the bacteria in the intestine). These bacteria affect the way the brain develops and functions. They’re responsible for the creation of many essential brain chemicals involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and other important functions. The microbiota also interacts with the immune system and stress response, affecting how young people react to and calm down from stressful events.
What Is the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis?
The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a term that refers to the two-way communication between our brains and the bacteria in our guts. In one direction, the brain regulates how the gut fulfils important functions like digesting food. At the same time, the bacteria in the gut affect emotional, social, and cognitive functions of the brain.
Experts still aren’t sure exactly how the gut bacteria and brain communicate. They think there are at least three important forms of communication: through our nerves, immune system, and chemical messengers (hormones).
The Nervous System
The walls of the intestine (and the rest of the digestive system) are lined with millions of nerves that come in contact with gut bacteria. These nerves can transmit information to other parts of the body and the brain, probably via parts of the central nervous system like the vagal nerve.
The Immune System
The immune system undoubtedly plays a role in the two-way relationship between gut bacteria and the brain.
Research suggests that a diverse community of gut bacteria is essential for the healthy functioning of the immune system, protecting the body against disease and responding to external threats. The immune system, in turn, regulates our physical and psychological responses to stress through the release of cortisol, an anti-inflammatory hormone that helps to fight infection, repairs tissues, and slows down non-essential functions. It also makes us more alert and vigilant.
Studies have found that animals raised without exposure to bacteria experience changes in their immune systems and digestive functions. They also show reduced sociability, learning deficits, and a heightened response to stress.
Hormones
The gut produces many of the body’s essential hormones, including serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone (a type of chemical) that affects pain perception, organ development, inflammation, and many other functions. In the central nervous system, serotonin also acts as a neurotransmitter (a kind of chemical messenger) that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite.
How Do Gut Bacteria Affect Adolescent Development?
Adolescence is a key period of brain and body development. As different areas of the brain change and develop, so do emotions and behaviours, such as impulsivity, reasoning, and emotional regulation. During adolescence, the production and regulation of hormones also change, affecting stress responses and other behaviours.
One area of adolescent development that’s closely related to gut bacteria is the enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system is the huge collection of neurons (cells) that regulate and control the digestive system. However, some of these cells also connect to the central nervous system and to the brain. This means the information they receive and transmit may affect a young person’s emotions, behaviours, and mental health.
Research suggests that the enteric nervous system may continue to develop and change during adolescence and throughout adulthood. Moreover, the bacteria in the gut may affect these changes. This means that adolescents’ microbiota could systematically shape the way adolescents think, feel, and behave.
Nurturing the Microbiota During Adolescence
While experts still don’t have a complete understanding of the microbiota, we know that they naturally diversify and change over a young person’s lifespan. We also know that they are affected by both environmental and physiological changes.
The food a young person eats directly affects the bacteria in their gut. Eating a balanced diet helps to create and nurture a diverse microbiota that has a healthy immune system and digestive system – and a healthy mind.
Environmental stressors also play an important role. Stressful events, sleeping patterns, and drug abuse may all influence the microbiota. Collective and self-care—such as taking time to rest, maintaining regular sleeping patterns, eating well, and avoiding drugs and alcohol—help nurture a healthy microbiota and promote adolescent mental health.
The Wave Clinic: Specialist Recovery Programs for Young People
The Wave Clinic is a private treatment space dedicated to the mental well-being of adolescents and young adults. We offer residential and outpatient programs for young people that both enable and inspire.
Our whole-person approach focuses on building self-confidence, life skills, and fulfilling futures. We combine exceptional clinical care with education, social responsibility, and an international gap year experience, supporting young people to heal from trauma and mental health disorders while building life advantage.
Our team members hold unequaled expertise and experience in child and adolescent psychiatry, applying their skills with sensitivity and care. We understand family as integral to the recovery process, working closely with family members through therapeutic interventions, treatment planning, and informal meetings.
If you’re interested in finding out more about our programs, get in touch today. We’re here to support you.
