Dual Diagnosis

The gut–brain axis refers to the biochemical signaling taking place between the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the nervous

system, oft en involving the intestinal microbiota (the microbiome), which have been shown to play an important role in healthy

brain function. Antibiotics, antimicrobial cleaning agents, trauma and carcinogenic compounds in our environment, to name a few,

have contributed to the destruction of the mircrobiome and host immunity. In brain disorders such as autism, the environmental

on slaught has eroded the immature gastrointestinal tract and allowed pathogenic organisms like viruses, bacteria, and fungus to

enter the bloodstream, penetrate the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and eff ectively force a protective neuro-immune shutdown of blood

fl ow to key parts of the brain. Research now shows that disturbances in the microbiome, resulting in gut permeability, is at the

root of rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, asthma, eczema, Crohn’s/colitis, diabetes, cancer and many other chronic conditions. Th is

breakdown in the GIT and the consequential disruption of the BBB is the underlying biological process behind brain disorders such

as autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Chronic Fatigue Immune Defi ciency Syndrome (CFS/

CFIDS), anxiety, depression, and more.