An international team of scientists from China and the United States has identified a new risk factor for insomnia – the composition of the gut microbiota. This is according to a study published in the journal General Psychiatry, ScienceAlert reports.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 400,000 people and used a Mendelian randomization method to separate the effects of lifestyle from genetic factors. The results showed that certain types of bacteria in the gut may increase the likelihood of sleep disorders.
Key results
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The most convincing link was found with the bacterium Clostridium innocuum. It is not considered a health hazard, but is associated with an increased risk of insomnia.
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In total, 14 bacterial taxa were identified that increase the likelihood of insomnia, and 8 taxa that, on the contrary, reduce this risk.
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A bidirectional mechanism has been proven: insomnia also changes the intestinal microflora, which worsens the person's condition and complicates recovery.
Scientists remind us that gut microbes influence the nervous and immune systems, regulating inflammation and the release of neurotransmitters. This interaction is called the "gut-brain axis" and has previously been linked to stress, autism, Alzheimer's disease and attention deficit disorder.
In the future, the discovery may become the basis for new methods of combating insomnia – from special probiotics and prebiotics to fecal microbiota transplantation, which is already used for other diseases.
Somnologist Anastasia Shkodina reminds that the basis of insomnia prevention is sleep hygiene. It's not just about darkness, silence, and comfort in the room, but also about daytime habits: giving up gadgets an hour before bedtime, avoiding emotional and information overload, and adhering to a rest regimen.
Thus, microbes and insomnia form a complex vicious cycle, but it can be broken through a combination of scientific approaches and proper behavior in everyday life.
