Behavioral Activation via the Gut-Brain Axis: The Role of Structured Meal Preparation in Holistic Psychiatric Care
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Abstract
Background: Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiome plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, particularly depression and anxiety. At the same time, behavioral activation (BA), a structured psychotherapeutic strategy that increases engagement in goal-directed activities, remains an effective non-pharmacologic treatment for mood disorders. Objective: This narrative review explores how structured meal preparation and dietary planning can serve as a unique intersection between behavioral activation and gut-brain axis modulation, offering a promising adjunctive strategy for personalized, holistic psychiatric care. Discussion: We examine existing literature on gut microbiome and mental health, review the role of dietary patterns in psychiatric recovery, and propose structured eating as a culturally adaptable, low-cost behavioral activation tool. This approach may be especially valuable in underserved populations, where access to traditional therapies is limited, and food holds both cultural and psychological significance. Conclusion: Structured dietary interventions, when intentionally framed within behavioral therapy models, may represent a novel, gut-centered form of behavioural activation with strong potential for integration into modern psychiatric treatment practice.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Dilinuer Wubuli, MD, Parinda Parikh, MD, Mohamad Alsakka, MD, Boburbek Abdugabborov, MD, Shaurya Kumar Singh, MD, Himani J Suthar, MD, Sahia Manepalli, Eric Wang, Mina Oza, MD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons License All articles published in Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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