It most likely is the fluoxetine, or being exacerbated by it. The gut is the most serotonergic organ of the body by far making about 50 times as much serotonin as the brain. The
enteric nervous system (ENS), the mini brain which controls the gut can be more affected initially by serotonergic ADs than the brain is. The mix of gut flora is
also affected by ADs and the brain. The ENS is connected to the brain via the valgus nerves and it seems to be the dominant partner including having a strong influence on mood and emotions (it also influences the heart and lungs via the vagus nerves). In turn the ENS is
influenced by the gut microbiome. How you feel can literally be affected by your poop! Indeed, it is possible to make a good case for us being merely the life support system for the bugs in our guts who can lead us on a merry chase at times.
Originally Posted by panic_down_under
It most likely is the fluoxetine, or being exacerbated by it. The gut is the most serotonergic organ of the body by far making about 50 times as much serotonin as the brain. The enteric nervous system (ENS), the mini brain which controls the gut can be more affected initially by serotonergic ADs than the brain is. The mix of gut flora is also affected by ADs and the brain. The ENS is connected to the brain via the valgus nerves and it seems to be the dominant partner including having a strong influence on mood and emotions (it also influences the heart and lungs via the vagus nerves). In turn the ENS is influenced by the gut microbiome. How you feel can literally be affected by your poop! Indeed, it is possible to make a good case for us being merely the life support system for the bugs in our guts who can lead us on a merry chase at times.
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