The connection between how you feel and what happens in your digestion is much stronger than it seems. In fact, understanding how gut health affects mood can help improve your energy, emotional stability, and mental clarity without always resorting to quick fixes.
Today we know that the gut directly influences the brain, and maintaining a balanced microbiota can make a difference. a huge difference in your daily well-being.
What is the relationship between the gut and mood?
For years we thought of the gut as a simple digestive organ. Today, that's no longer the case. Now we know it's the body's "second brain" thanks to the gut-brain axis , a communication network that links both systems with constant messages.
The gut produces about 90% of serotonin , one of the most important neurotransmitters for regulating mood, motivation, and well-being. According to the According to an article on the gut-brain connection from Harvard Health , imbalances in the gut microbiota and intestinal inflammation can alter serotonin production and directly affect how we process emotions.
This explains why when your digestion is irritated or unstable , your emotional state also changes. The gut doesn't just digest; it also influences how you think, how you feel, and how you react to stress.
Signs that your gut health may be affecting your mood
The body often gives warning signs when something is wrong, even before intense symptoms appear. Some common signs that your gut might be affecting your emotional state are:
- Bloating or slow digestion almost every day.
- Mood swings without a specific cause.
- Tiredness that does not improve with rest.
- Anxiety more frequent than normal.
- Difficulty concentrating or a feeling of "clouded mind".
- Inflamed skin, outbreaks, or sensitivity.
- Headaches that appear after eating or during periods of stress.
Evidence from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that imbalances in the microbiota can generate systemic inflammation, which interferes with the production of neurotransmitters and the body's ability to handle stress.
In its summary on probiotics, the NIH explains how a diverse microbiota is related to better overall and emotional health.
What can you do to balance your microbiota and improve your mood?
Taking care of your gut health doesn't require drastic changes; just consistency and simple habits. Here's a clear plan to get you started.
Take care of your daily diet
The foundation of a healthy gut lies in your diet. The beneficial microorganisms in your gut need fiber, fresh foods, and fermented foods to stay strong and diverse.
It frequently includes:
- Natural yogurt, kefir or kombucha (natural probiotics).
- Garlic, onion, asparagus, oats and banana (prebiotics that feed the microbiota).
- Colorful vegetables that reduce inflammation.
- Real food with few ingredients and little added sugar.
If you're interested in learning more about incorporating functional ingredients, you can consult Mushi LAB's guide on How to choose mushroom supplements , where they explain what to look for to ensure quality and effectiveness.
The NIH itself, in its guide on probiotics, emphasizes that a diet rich in fiber and fermented foods is key to maintaining a robust digestive system and a diverse microbiota.
When you start taking care of your gut, unexpected things happen. One day you wake up with more energy, another you notice you're no longer dragging your digestion, and almost without realizing it, your head is clearer. Less heaviness. Fewer strange days. A general feeling that everything is starting to fall into place a little better. And it's not a huge change all at once; it's small improvements that, together, do much more than you might think.
It's really about understanding that your mood and your gut are much more connected than you imagined. You don't need to turn your life upside down, just start listening to your body and give it what it's been asking for. At MushiLAB, we invite you to discover the power of adaptogenic mushrooms and how they can help you regain that balance that's noticeable both inside and out. A small change can make a big difference.
Reduces stress and improves sleep (related to fatigue)
Stress alters the gut microbiota more significantly than we realize. When the body constantly produces cortisol, digestion slows down, inflammation increases, and serotonin levels decrease. This leads to fatigue, irritability, and poor sleep.
To improve this balance:
- Take some deep breaths or do short meditations before going to sleep.
- Limit screen time in the last hour of the day.
- Organize your meals at relatively stable times.
- Prioritize nights of real rest, not just "many hours in bed".
If you're looking for extra sleep support, you can read Mushi LAB's guide on natural supplements for better sleep , where they explain clean and non-addictive options that can improve the quality of rest.
Support your gut balance with natural adaptogens
Adaptogens, as their name suggests, help the body adapt better to stress, something essential when we talk about gut health and emotional well-being.
Among the most interesting:
- Reishi : known as "the calming mushroom", it helps regulate cortisol, improve sleep and reduce emotional tension.
- Lion's Mane supplement in capsules : supports mental clarity, may help reduce inflammation and promote a balanced gut microbiota.
- Ashwagandha : traditionally used to improve stress resistance and stabilize mood.
If you want to learn how to choose potent and safe extracts, check out Mushi LAB's guide in their article. 7 supplements to take from age 40 also offers a clear view of functional ingredients that impact energy, digestion and hormonal balance.
Furthermore, Harvard Health explains how certain foods and eating patterns are associated with better cognitive performance and less inflammation, reinforcing the idea that what you eat affects both the gut and the brain.
