Excessive and frequent use of antibiotics can increase the risk of anxiety and mood disorders.
BAKU.WS reports that this is the conclusion reached by researchers at Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital. The findings were published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry (MolPsy).
In experiments conducted on mice, scientists discovered that antibiotics severely disrupt the composition of the gut microbiota. This is accompanied by a decrease in the level of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating emotions and behavior. These changes caused signs of anxiety in the animals, indicating disruptions in the gut-brain axis.
Similar effects have been observed in humans. Participants who recently stopped taking antibiotics had higher levels of anxiety compared to those who did not use these medications. They also showed reduced levels of acetylcholine in their blood and intestines.
Researchers emphasize that this is not a proposal to abandon antibiotics, which remain life-saving drugs. However, the study highlights the potential risks of their unnecessary and aggressive use and underscores the importance of a more balanced approach to prescribing these medications.