The pathogenesis of major depressive disorder involves a complex interplay of social, psychological, and biological factors. Gut health, specifically, may play an important role in the disease and its treatment.

More and more research is proving that the gut plays an important role in emotional and mental wellbeing. The gut-brain axis is the pathway through which these two parts of the body communicate, and because of this open line of communication, it is essential that we pay attention to how what we eat effects how we feel. As a curious and motivated integrative psychiatrist, Dr. Beata Lewis has spent a lot of time studying the importance of gut health and can offer guidance for those wanting to learn more.

However, recent studies show that the benefits of probiotics extend well beyond digestion: probiotics can also have a positive impact on mental health and may be a valuable addition to the tool box of psychiatrists and psychotherapists who care about holistic care.