‘The Second Brain': Why gut health is the key to mental clarity, wellbeing

Al Arabiya

04-06-2025

The gut's influence extends far beyond digestion – affecting everything from immunity and inflammation to focus, mood, and mental clarity.
This interconnectedness is driving a wave of innovation in personalized health, and at the center of it is Bioniq, a supplement company using data to turn gut health into a foundation for mental and physical performance.
The importance of gut health
'Gut health has become a focal point in personalized health because it's now widely understood that the gut plays a central role in overall well-being – it affects everything from immunity and energy levels to mental health and inflammation. It's often called the 'second brain' for a reason,' said Oliver Motisi, Chief Product Officer at Bioniq, in an interview with Al Arabiya English.
Trillions of bacteria live in the human digestive tract, forming the gut microbiome.
These microbes influence hormone production, metabolize nutrients, regulate immune cells, and even produce up to 95 percent of the body's serotonin – one of the brain's key mood stabilizers.
When the gut microbiome is imbalanced, inflammation can rise and communication between the brain and body can break down.
'At Bioniq, we don't look at gut health in isolation. Instead, we integrate it into a broader, data-driven understanding of each individual's biology,' Motisi said.
'Our approach is grounded in blood biomarker analysis, so if we see signs of inflammation, nutrient malabsorption or deficiencies linked to gut function, that's where we start.'
The gut-brain axis
Each personalized supplement formula is designed with precision and built on a prebiotic fiber base to support both nutrient absorption and microbiome diversity.
'Our goal is to support the body as a whole, with gut health as a critical part of the full system, guided by real data, not guesswork.'
The company is especially focused on the bidirectional communication between the gut and brain – what scientists call the gut-brain axis.
This channel involves the central and enteric nervous systems and uses neural, hormonal and immune signals to send constant updates between the two organs.
'We now know that changes in gut microbiota can significantly impact cognitive performance, mood and emotional resilience,' Motisi explained.
'That's because the gut and brain are deeply interconnected through the gut-brain axis – a communication pathway that includes neural, hormonal and immune signals.'
Mental health symptoms like brain fog, anxiety, and fatigue are often early signs of imbalances in the gut.
When the balance of bacteria in the gut is disturbed, it can interfere with the production and signaling of brain chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
For example, low levels of beneficial gut bacteria may reduce serotonin production, which can contribute to anxiety or low mood.
Imbalances can also trigger low-grade inflammation, which has been linked to cognitive issues like brain fog and difficulty concentrating.
Fatigue may result from poor nutrient absorption in the gut, especially when the body lacks key vitamins and minerals like B12, magnesium or iron.
In some cases, individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other digestive conditions also report increased symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression – highlighting how gut health and mental health are often very much intertwined.
Micronutrients
Micronutrients play a major role in gut-brain health, Motisi explained.
'Micronutrients play a foundational role in how our brains function – they're the building blocks behind everything from memory and focus to mood and resilience,' he said.
'Take magnesium, for example – it's essential for neurotransmitter function and managing stress. Elements like zinc and selenium support processes related to mental clarity and immune health.'
Tailored ingredients
To address these imbalances that people may have, Bioniq creates custom supplement blends with ingredients tailored to target brain and body together.
'When it comes to cognitive function, that can mean including targeted ingredients like magnesium, omega-3s, adaptogens, and more to help boost clarity, focus, and mental performance.'
What sets Bioniq apart in a crowded supplement market is its deep reliance on data.
'Since our founding in 2019, Bioniq has built one of the largest databases of its kind, drawing from over 300,000 individuals and more than 6 million biochemical data points,' Motisi said.
'Our patented algorithm cross-references users' health quiz responses with real-world blood test results to create a truly personalized formulation.'
Looking ahead, Motisi sees blood-based biomarkers – particularly those linked to inflammation – reshaping how brain and mental health are tracked and treated.
'I believe the future of brain health will be increasingly defined by how we interpret inflammatory markers, hormonal balance, and metabolic health together, rather than in isolation.'
For conditions like anxiety or even neurodegenerative diseases, Motisi said he sees tremendous promise.
'By tailoring supplementation based on an individual's specific biomarkers, we can target these root causes more precisely,' he said.