Skip to main content
About the Institute
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • Russian
  • Portuguese
  • Polish

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. The power of your gut
  3. Social phobia is all in the head... and in the microbiota
  • Learn all about microbiota
    • The gut microbiota
    • The ENT microbiota
    • The pulmonary microbiota
    • The urinary microbiota
    • The skin microbiota
    • The vaginal microbiota
  • Microbiota and related conditions
    • Digestive disorders
    • Women disorders
    • Metabolic disorders
    • Skin disorders
    • Pediatric disorders
    • Psychiatric disorders
    • Neurological disorders
    • Respiratory disorders
    • Urinary disorders
  • Act on your microbiota
    • Probiotics
    • Prebiotics
    • Fecal Microbiota Transplant
    • Diet
  • Publications
    • News
    • Thematics folders
    • Thematic pages
    • Microbiota Q & A
    • Patients Stories
    • Experts' point of view
  • About the Institute
    • About us
    • International Microbiota Observatory
    • Press room
    • Partnerships

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky

Healthcare professionals section

Find here your dedicated section
Biocodex logo
The power of your gut
My microbiota as a woman
Our marvelous microbiota

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. The power of your gut
  3. Social phobia is all in the head... and in the microbiota
The power of your gut

Social phobia is all in the head... and in the microbiota

Gut-brain axis
The gut microbiota Psychiatric disorders

A team of Irish researchers has recently discovered that the gut microbiota of people suffering from social phobia has specific characteristics that differ from those of healthy individuals 1. A first!

The power of your gut
My microbiota as a woman
Our marvelous microbiota
  • Learn all about microbiota
    • The gut microbiota
    • The ENT microbiota
    • The pulmonary microbiota
    • The urinary microbiota
    • The skin microbiota
    • The vaginal microbiota
  • Microbiota and related conditions
    • Digestive disorders
    • Women disorders
    • Metabolic disorders
    • Skin disorders
    • Pediatric disorders
    • Psychiatric disorders
    • Neurological disorders
    • Respiratory disorders
    • Urinary disorders
  • Act on your microbiota
    • Probiotics
    • Prebiotics
    • Fecal Microbiota Transplant
    • Diet
  • Publications
    • News
    • Thematics folders
    • Thematic pages
    • Microbiota Q & A
    • Patients Stories
    • Experts' point of view
  • About the Institute
    • About us
    • International Microbiota Observatory
    • Press room
    • Partnerships

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky

Healthcare professionals section

Find here your dedicated section
Biocodex logo

Sources

This article is based on scientific information

Sharing is caring

Your friends might be interested in this topic. Why not share it?

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
Social phobia is all in the head... and in the microbiota

About this article

Created 26 May 2023
Updated 06 June 2023

We know that the gut and the brain are in constant dialog. Studies suggest that the “ microbiota-gut-brain axis ” plays an important role in anxiety, stress, major depressive disorder and autism.

Troubles anxieux bandeau 17.09.2019 Chronic anxiety potentialy promoted by gut bacteria? Read more

What about the microbiota of people with social phobia? Does it also display characteristics suggesting it plays a role in the disease via communication with the brain?

Until now, a lack of data has made it difficult to answer this question. However, a study by a team of Irish researchers from University College Cork (UCC) suggests that this may indeed be the case.

The scientists enrolled 31 people diagnosed with social phobia, together with 18 controls not suffering from the condition. They collected the participants’ stools to analyze and compare the composition of their microbiota. What did the analyses show?

13% The percentage of the population in Europe and the United States affected by social phobia.

(sidenote: Fehm L, Pelissolo A, et al. Size and burden of social phobia in Europe. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2005;15:453–62.
Kessler RC, Petukhova M, et al. Twelvemonth and lifetime prevalence and lifetime morbid risk of anxiety and mood disorders in the United States. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2012;21:169–84.
)

Significant differences in bacterial composition

Compared to the control group, the microbiota of the “social phobia” group contained more Anaeromassilibacillus. Several studies have shown this bacterial genus to be implicated in autism and depression, two disorders that share physiological processes with social phobia.

Their microbiota also contained more Gordonibacter, a bacterial genus that can produce the metabolite urolithin from the breakdown of polyphenols, which studies show has an impact on mental health.

30.03.2021 Depression: gut microbiota the key to diagnosis? Read more

The social phobia group also had lower levels of Parasutterella excrementihominis. Several studies have shown this bacterium to be less abundant in people suffering from autism spectrum disorders, but also in those with a high (sidenote: Indice de masse corporelle Rapport du poids en kg sur le carré de la taille en m2 )  or sugar intake, which is common in people suffering from phobias, including those in the study.

Another notable difference was that their microbiota showed a significant enrichment in a metabolic pathway for aspartate degradation via a specific protein. According to the authors’ analysis, this protein is similar to another involved in the metabolism of tryptophan, one of the messengers involved in the functioning of the gut-brain axis.

When the fear of being judged becomes an illness

Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, is a persistent and intense fear of:

  • Being judged by others;
  • Feeling humiliated, ridiculous, or embarrassed in the presence of others.

The fear is intense and pervasive and is accompanied by particularly disturbing physical symptoms: trembling, palpitations, excessive sweating, nausea, and at times panic attacks.
Social phobics may be unable to do things as simple as going to a restaurant, asking for directions, taking an exam, or attending a meeting. They are also at greater risk of alcoholism and depression.
This illness differs from stage fright or shyness in the intense psychological suffering it causes.
Treatment relies mainly on medication (antidepressants, beta-blockers) and cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT).  2

Towards new treatments and biomarkers

According to the researchers, this small study is highly important and will lay the foundations for larger-scale studies to confirm the involvement of the gut-brain axis and specific bacteria in social anxiety disorder.

Long term objective

The ultimate aim is to identify biomarkers and develop new treatments for social phobia, a common and particularly disabling disorder, for which treatments are not yet very effective.

The gut microbiota

Learn more
Sources

1. Butler MI, Bastiaanssen TFS, et al. The gut microbiome in social anxiety disorder: evidence of altered composition and function. Transl Psychiatry. 2023 Mar 20;13(1):95.

2. APA. Diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders, 5th edition( DSM-V). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing, 2013

Tags
Gut-brain axis Anxiety Mental health Stress Brain Microbiome Flora

    See also

    Axe intestin cerveau Bandeau How our gut constantly talks to our brain
    La discrimination difficile à digérer How discrimination turns our stomach
    Created 26 May 2023
    Updated 06 June 2023

    About this article

    To know more about this topic.

    Main topic

    Gut-brain axis

    Related microbiotas

    The gut microbiota

    Related topics

    Psychiatric disorders
    The power of your gut

    Microbiotalk : short conferences on antimicrobial resistance

    Breaking the silence: a global conversation on antimicrobial resistance Antimicrobial resistance (AM...

    Find out more

    Functional dyspepsia

    Despite its strange-sounding name, functional dyspepsia is a common digestive disorder. Characteristi...

    Find out more

    The gut microbiota

    Gut microbiota: why is it that important for your health? We have trillions1 of bacteria that po...

    Find out more

    Travelers’ diarrhea

    It's not what you think... Notice to globetrotters and travelers who’ve fallen victim to the dreaded...

    Find out more

    Fecal transplant: a promising route?

    This will surprise more than one person: using stool for therapeutic purposes did not start yesterday...

    Find out more

    Expert Interview : Dr Julie Lemale

    Dr. Julie Lemale is a Pediatric Gastroenterologist at the Armand Trousseau Hospital (AP-HP, Paris) an...

    Find out more

    Probiotics, a promising solution?

    Probiotics are “live microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts) that, upon ingestion in sufficient concentrati...

    Find out more

    Expert interview : Pr Patrice D. Cani

    Modulating the gut microbiota: effective for losing weight? While the study of gut microbiota opens ...

    Find out more

    Latest news

    News
    13.05.2025

    When sodas harm your microbiota and your health

    Read the article
    07.05.2025

    Downside of fruit and vegetable juices for gut health

    Read the article
    Allergies : et si tout venait du microbiote ?
    28.03.2023

    Allergies: and what if it all started with the microbiota?

    Read the article
    Photo LP: Sensibles à l’E466 ? Votre microbiote a son mot à dire
    15.04.2025

    Sensitive to E466? Your microbiota plays a role

    Read the article
    23.04.2024

    Bacterial diarrhea: the only case where antibiotics can be used

    Read the article
    Patients stories - logo
    21.11.2022

    Patients stories: living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

    Read the article
    Actu GP : Bière sans alcool, le microbiote intestinal en raffole !
    15.10.2019

    Non-alcoholic beer: the gut microbiota just loves it!

    Read the article
    Actu GP : Le régime méditerranéen contre la fragilité des seniors ?
    28.05.2020

    Does the Mediterranean diet protect the elderly against frailty?

    Read the article
    • Learn all about microbiota
      • The gut microbiota
      • The ENT microbiota
      • The pulmonary microbiota
      • The urinary microbiota
      • The skin microbiota
      • The vaginal microbiota
    • Microbiota and related conditions
      • Digestive disorders
      • Women disorders
      • Metabolic disorders
      • Skin disorders
      • Pediatric disorders
      • Psychiatric disorders
      • Neurological disorders
      • Respiratory disorders
      • Urinary disorders
    • Act on your microbiota
      • Probiotics
      • Prebiotics
      • Fecal Microbiota Transplant
      • Diet
    • Publications
      • News
      • Thematics folders
      • Thematic pages
      • Microbiota Q & A
      • Patients Stories
      • Experts' point of view
    • About the Institute
      • About us
      • International Microbiota Observatory
      • Press room
      • Partnerships

      Join the microbiota community

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • LinkedIn
      • YouTube
      • Instagram
      • Bluesky

    Healthcare professionals section

    Find here your dedicated section
    Biocodex logo
    The power of your gut
    My microbiota as a woman
    Our marvelous microbiota
    • English
    • Français
    • Español
    • Russian
    • Portuguese
    • Polish

    Browse the site

    • Learn all about microbiota
      • The gut microbiota
      • The ENT microbiota
      • The pulmonary microbiota
      • The urinary microbiota
      • The skin microbiota
      • The vaginal microbiota
    • Microbiota and related conditions
      • Digestive disorders
      • Women disorders
      • Metabolic disorders
      • Skin disorders
      • Pediatric disorders
      • Psychiatric disorders
      • Neurological disorders
      • Respiratory disorders
      • Urinary disorders
    • Act on your microbiota
      • Probiotics
      • Prebiotics
      • Fecal Microbiota Transplant
      • Diet
    • Publications
      • News
      • Thematics folders
      • Thematic pages
      • Microbiota Q & A
      • Patients Stories
      • Experts' point of view
    • About the Institute
      • About us
      • International Microbiota Observatory
      • Press room
      • Partnerships

      Join the microbiota community

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • LinkedIn
      • YouTube
      • Instagram
      • Bluesky

    Healthcare professionals section

    Find here your dedicated section
    Biocodex logo

    Discover

    The power of your gut
    My microbiota as a woman
    Our marvelous microbiota

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky

    Healthcare professionals section

    Find here your dedicated section

    Redirection

    You are about to be redirected and leave our website

    • Be redirected
    • Stay on the Biocodex Microbiota Institute's website

    Stay with us !

    Join the microbiota community and receive "The Essentials" once a month to stay up to date with the latest news on the microbiota.

    * Mandatory Fields

    BMI 20-35

    Explore

    13.05.2025

    When sodas harm your microbiota and your health

    Read the article
    07.05.2025

    Downside of fruit and vegetable juices for gut health

    Read the article
    Photo LP: Sensibles à l’E466 ? Votre microbiote a son mot à dire
    15.04.2025

    Sensitive to E466? Your microbiota plays a role

    Read the article

    Stay updated

    Join the Microbiota Community and receive once a month “The Essential” to stay up to date on the latest news about microbiota.

    * Mandatory Fields

    BMI 20-35

    • Learn all about microbiota
      • The gut microbiota
      • The ENT microbiota
      • The pulmonary microbiota
      • The urinary microbiota
      • The skin microbiota
      • The vaginal microbiota
    • Microbiota and related conditions
      • Digestive disorders
      • Women disorders
      • Metabolic disorders
      • Skin disorders
      • Pediatric disorders
      • Psychiatric disorders
      • Neurological disorders
      • Respiratory disorders
      • Urinary disorders
    • Act on your microbiota
      • Probiotics
      • Prebiotics
      • Fecal Microbiota Transplant
      • Diet
    • Publications
      • News
      • Thematics folders
      • Thematic pages
      • Microbiota Q & A
      • Patients Stories
      • Experts' point of view
    • About the Institute
      • About us
      • International Microbiota Observatory
      • Press room
      • Partnerships

      Join the microbiota community

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • LinkedIn
      • YouTube
      • Instagram
      • Bluesky

    Healthcare professionals section

    Find here your dedicated section
    Biocodex logo

    Discover

    The power of your gut
    My microbiota as a woman
    Our marvelous microbiota

    Healthcare professionals section

    Find here your dedicated section

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky

    © 2025 Biocodex. All rights reserved.

    • Legal notice
    • GTU
    • Data protection policy
    • Sitemap
    • Cookies settings
    • Digital accessibility : partially compliant
    Biocodex logo