Stressful Gut-feelings

In examing what exactly happens to the gut when experiencing stress, researches began placing lab rats in stressful situations, then proceeded give the rats water with and without the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. By placing rats on a small island, surrounded by water for one hour a day for several consecutive days, the psychological stress felt by humans was replicated and physical signs of stress could be tested. This water stress led to a vulnerability in the gut of rats which allowed harmful bacterial cells to adhere to the cells lining the gut wall. There were also signs that harmful bacteria had entered and activated the immune system, but when probiotic bacteria were entered into the rats there were much fewer cases of bacteria attaching to the gut wall or entering the immune system. Stress is known to cause several diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, and has other negative effects on the body. By introducing probiotic, harmless bacteria into the body of someone suffering from chronic stress, they compete for space and cause less harmful bacteria to have an effect on the host. Though these studies do not directly help reduce stress, they can help to reduce the physical maladies associated with it.

Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060430002647.htm