The larger majority of data show that probiotics don't work like drugs.

They don't work to relieve a headache or relieve depression like an antidepressant.

What they're working to do is predominantly to rectify these problems in the gut that then have

offshoot systems as where other problems can pop up. Joint pain, skin issues, depression,

anxiety, brain fog. So what the probiotics are trying to do is successfully dampen inflammation

and immune reactivity in the gut, rectify overgrowth or dysbiosis or infection, and reduce

leaky gut.

And when that happens, you have better nutrient absorption, you have less inflammation,

you have less immune activation.

And this is the kind of healthy core situation from which someone will no longer have the brain fog, the insomnia, the depression, what have you.

Collective Insights is a voyage through topics and technologies revolutionizing human well-being.

We explore the fields of neuroscience, integrative medicine, anthropology,

optimal psychology, systems thinking, and existential risk. Groundbreaking approaches for a better

world and a better life await you. Welcome to Collective Insights. Welcome back to Collective Insights. I'm your host today, Dr. Heather Sandison,

and I'm so pleased to be joined by Dr. Michael Ruchio. Welcome to the show.

Hi. Thanks for having me. So I'm really excited to dive in to the gut brain connection.

How did you get started on seeing that this was an important

connection to be making? Yeah, unfortunately, I lived through it as a patient,

unbeknownst to me, I had a parasitic infection, and these are actually quite rare.

True parasites are actually quite rare to find,

especially in the U.S. population, but I was one of the rare cases. And what was so ironic,

but probably helpful for my future career as a clinician was having a parasite but having no digestive symptoms.

...