Gut Microbiota and Mental Health: Implications for Mental Health Nursing and Microbiological Research

Abstract

This review examines the connection between gut microbiota and mental health, highlighting its relevance to mental health nursing and microbiological research. The human gastrointestinal tract contains a diverse population of microorganisms that are essential for metabolic processes, immune function, and defense against pathogens. Increasing scientific evidence emphasizes the microbiota–gut–brain axis as a complex, bidirectional communication system linking the gut and the central nervous system through neural, hormonal, immune, and metabolic pathways. Imbalances in gut microbiota composition, known as dysbiosis, have been linked to various psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders. These associations are mediated through mechanisms such as disrupted neurotransmitter synthesis, heightened inflammatory responses, immune dysregulation, and alterations in stress-response systems. The review further explores emerging microbiome-based interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotic, and fecal microbiota transplantation, which demonstrate potential as supportive treatments in mental healthcare. For mental health nursing, incorporating knowledge of gut–brain interactions enhance holistic care, patient education, and collaborative practice. However, limitations such as inconsistent methodologies and insufficient causal evidence persist, underscoring the need for further longitudinal and experimental studies.