Intestinal microbiota and stress: how much do we know so far

Stress may be defined as a nonspecific systemic response that occurs when the body is engaged by a variety of stimuli, which has the capacity to influence a number of different physiological systems of the body. Recent research has shown that the microbiota that live in the gut are an essential part of human microecology and play a significant part in the process of preserving the health of the body. Through its influence on the functioning of the intestinal mucosal barrier, the intestinal immune system, and the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, stress has the ability to bring about dysbiosis in the gut. This narrative review investigates the changes that occur in the microbiota of the gut as a consequence of environmental stress and investigates the possible processes that may be involved.