How does leaky gut cause anxiety and depression?

Question

I have SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) and it’s a well known thing that having that overgrowth can cause depression and anxiety. But how?

In: Biology

Answer 1

I know of a couple of studies that show people with SIBO have pretty much the same rates of depression and anxiety as anyone else, but I’ve never seen a study showing that SIBO causes depression. The only place I’ve ever seen anyone claiming that SIBO causes depression is on the websites of “alternative” practitioners who are trying to sell magical cures and treatments.