Research Hit: The Brains (and Guts) of Highly Resilient People
The brain and, interestingly, gut microbiome of those who are resilient differ to those that aren't.
I could imagine that the brain of resilient people are different, on average, but their gut microbiome??
Indeed, it should be no surprise that the brain of those high on resilience are different - if you respond differently something different is happening in your brain. Precisely what interests me more.
I didn’t immediately find it surprising that the gut microbiome is different also - so many studies in recent years have shown differences in the gut microbiome associated with multiple cognitive factors and behavioural traits.
I’m intrigued - what was different?
Eric An et al. of the University of California Los Angeles first surveyed 116 participants and then split them into two groups of those with higher resilience, coping with setbacks, and negativity well, and those who rated themselves lower on resilience.
These then underwent fMRI scans and also sent in two stool samples prior to the study.
First off, the psychological profile of those with high resilience showed that they were less anxious, less depressed, but also less prone to judge others. This would fall in line with plenty of other research that particularly shows general higher risk factors for many mental conditions for anxious people.
And what about the brain?
Yes, the researchers also found differences in brain activity. Of note is that resting state functional connectivity between reward circuits and sensorimotor areas was higher. This suggests a higher general positive state. They also found differences in grey matter and connectivity in emotional regulation networks.
Basically those higher in resilience can better regulate their emotions, catastrophize less, and keep a level head.
Isn’t this a chicken or egg problem?
Yes, it could be those that are calm and collected don’t get emotional and so need less cognitive control to stay balanced and therefore experience less stress and its negative impacts. It’s not sure what comes first but sure there is a two-way connection.
But classic interventions used for resilience will likely be effective but may not target the root cause.
Analysing the gut microbiome may also give some deeper insights
And was this different then?
Yes, it was - as I said above this is in and of itself not so surprising. They measured higher metabolite production and gene activity associated with lower inflammation and strong and healthy gut barrier. Something known as leaky gut which seems to be more common in those low on resiliency triggers inflammation and impairs the gut in its ability to absorb nutrients and block toxins.
Which also creates an additional knock-on effect - seems like a bit of a vicious circle!
Indeed, but this also may lead to interventions at this level.
For now we know that resilient people have brains that process reward better, have more cognitive control, and lower anxiety. This in addition to a gut microbiome that seem to protect against inflammation.
So maybe you can eat yourself resilient?
In part yes, you may want to browse some of my older posts on the gut microbiome and nutrition. But maybe it could be a gut microbiome supplement!
But for now another important piece of knowledge to help with understanding and building resilience.
Reference
Eric An, Desiree R. Delgadillo, Jennifer Yang, et al.
Stress-resilience impacts psychological wellbeing as evidenced by brain–gut microbiome interactions.
Nature Mental Health, 2024
DOI: 10.1038/s44220-024-00266-6