The Gut-Brain Tryptophan Highway: How Your Digestive System Controls Mood
How Does Your Gut Control Brain Chemistry Through Tryptophan?
Your gut controls brain chemistry through tryptophan metabolism via multiple pathways: producing 90% of the body’s serotonin in intestinal cells, hosting bacteria that directly metabolize tryptophan into neuroactive compounds, and regulating inflammatory signals that influence how tryptophan is processed throughout the body. This gut-brain tryptophan axis explains why digestive health problems often coincide with mood disorders and why gut-targeted therapies can improve mental health.
