You walk into a room and forget why you're there. You lose your train of thought mid-sentence. You put the oat milk in the cupboard and your keys in the fridge. If this sounds familiar, you're almost certainly not alone. And you're not imagining it. But here's something that might surprise you: your gut may have more to do with it than you'd think.
New research from ScienceDaily suggests that gut bacteria may play a role in triggering certain neurological conditions, a finding that's adding weight to the growing body of evidence linking gut health and brain function. For women in perimenopause and menopause, where brain fog is already one of the most commonly reported and least talked-about symptoms, this connection may be worth understanding.
Why gut health and brain function may be linked
The gut-brain axis is the two-way communication system between your digestive tract and your brain. Researchers believe it operates via the vagus nerve, the immune system, and the production of neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, which appear to influence mood, focus, and cognitive function.
Studies indicate that the gut microbiome may play a role in regulating this communication. When microbiome diversity declines, which research suggests may happen during perimenopause partly due to falling oestrogen, the signals travelling along the gut-brain axis may be affected. A 2023 study published in Nature Aging found that centenarians tend to have notably diverse gut microbiomes compared to the general population, suggesting a possible association between gut health and long-term cognitive resilience.
Emerging evidence also points to the role of short-chain fatty acids, produced by gut bacteria when they ferment fibre, in supporting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and reducing neuroinflammation.
What research suggests about gut bacteria and memory
The ScienceDaily research suggests that certain gut bacteria may produce compounds that, under some conditions, appear to be associated with neurological changes linked to conditions like ALS and frontotemporal dementia. While this research is still early-stage and doesn't suggest that gut health directly causes these conditions, it adds to a growing body of evidence that what's happening in the gut may influence the brain in ways researchers are only beginning to understand.
Separately, research on the estrobolome, which refers to the gut bacteria involved in metabolising oestrogen, suggests that changes in oestrogen metabolism during perimenopause may influence brain function. Some researchers believe this may partly explain why brain fog appears to be so common during this life stage, though the science here is still evolving.
What this may mean for you
None of this means your memory lapses are your fault, or that a probiotic will fix them. What it does suggest is that the gut and the brain are in conversation. And that paying attention to your gut patterns may offer useful context as you navigate perimenopause.
Gutsi is a gut wellness tracker that may help you begin to notice and understand patterns in your gut health over time. A useful place to start is simply paying attention to what clusters together:
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Whether brain fog feels worse after a poor night's sleep
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Whether bloating or digestive discomfort tends to show up on the same days concentration feels harder
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Whether stress appears to affect both your gut and your ability to focus
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Whether symptoms seem to shift around hormonal changes in your cycle
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Whether certain foods leave you feeling more sluggish or unsettled than others
From there, small and manageable tends to be more sustainable than trying to change everything at once. Prioritising sleep where you can, eating more fibre and plant variety across the week, and keeping meals relatively regular are all things associated with supporting both gut wellness and steadier energy. The goal isn't perfection. It's noticing trends over time, not catastrophising single bad days.
Your gut, your data, your story. Explore Gutsi here.
Sources
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Wilmanski T et al., "Gut microbiome pattern reflects healthy ageing and predicts survival in humans," Nature Metabolism, 2021.
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Cryan JF et al., "The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis," Physiological Reviews, 2019.
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Boehme M et al., "Microbiota from young mice counteracts selective age-associated behavioral deficits," Nature Aging, 2021.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Gutsi is a wellness tracking device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. If you have concerns about your digestive health, please speak to a qualified healthcare professional.
