Sleep, gut microbiota, and mind-body medicine

Abstract

Sleep is an intricate physiological process that is essential to both mental and physical well-being. The microbiota-gut-brain axis may be a key factor in the etiology and pathophysiology of sleep disorders, according to mounting evidence that it, directly and indirectly, influences sleep behavior. Sleep problems are linked to altered gut microbial composition, and sleep deprivation causes malfunction of the gut microbiota. Because the gut microbiota produces many of the neurotransmitters involved in sleep, altered microbial diversity is also linked to disrupted sleep. By inhibiting the HPA axis, mindbody therapies such as yoga, tai chi, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), and mindful meditation primarily enhance sleep quality. The microbial community is also greatly impacted by mind-body treatment. Our hypothesis in this study is that mind-body medicine enhances the microbial population, which in turn improves the quality of sleep.