If you deal with insomnia, nighttime anxiety, or restless sleep, you may be overlooking one of the biggest factors: your gut microbiome.
– 90% of serotonin (a precursor to melatonin) is produced in the gut. When gut bacteria are imbalanced, sleep-regulating neurotransmitters like GABA and melatonin drop.
– People with chronic insomnia have 30% lower GABA levels, a key neurotransmitter that calms the nervous system and promotes relaxation.
– The gut produces 400x more melatonin than the brain—but dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) can disrupt this, leading to circadian rhythm misalignment and poor sleep.
– People with IBS—a condition linked to gut imbalances—have up to a 60% higher rate of insomnia than those with a healthy gut.
GABA: The Brain’s Relaxation Switch
– Gut bacteria like Lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium produce GABA, helping to reduce stress and promote sleep.
– Dysbiosis lowers GABA levels, leading to racing thoughts and difficulty falling asleep.
Melatonin: The Sleep Hormone Starts in the Gut
– The gut produces most of the body’s melatonin—not just the brain.
– Serotonin is a melatonin precursor, but gut imbalances disrupt this pathway, impacting sleep quality.
How to Restore Gut Balance for Better Sleep:
✔ Probiotics: Strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus help produce serotonin, GABA, and melatonin.
✔ Prebiotics & Polyphenols: Support beneficial bacteria that regulate sleep hormones.
✔ Diverse, Fiber-Rich Diet: Fuels gut microbes for optimal neurotransmitter production.
Have you noticed a link between your digestion and sleep? Drop your experience below!
If you want to start supporting your gut health today, comment “Gut25” and I’ll DM you my favorite supplements for a thriving microbiome!
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PMIDs: 12395907, 19014069, 33169710, 39035457