Gut Microbiome Responsible for Fear

Why do some babies react to perceived danger more than others? A new study done by the University of North Carolina and Michigan State University (MSU) has found that fear may be influenced by the microbiome in the gut. The human digestive system is home to a vast community of microorganisms and it has been found that the gut microbiome was different in infants with strong fear responses and infants with milder reactions. Fear makes a child aware of the threats in the environment and makes them ready to respond to them. But if they can’t dampen that response when they’re safe, they may be at a heightened risk to develop anxiety and depression, researchers said. Those children with muted fear responses may become callous and exhibit antisocial behavior as revealed in a Halloween mask experiment.
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