THE GUT–BRAIN AXIS IN THE DIGITAL ERA: CAN PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS FROM ONLINE ENVIRONMENTS ALTER THE MICROBIOME?

Wiktoria Urowska; Magdalena Kossmann; Amin Abdulgater; Paulina Osuch-Tomaszewska; Laura Szalewska; Jędrzej Łysiak; Izabela Kazubek-Fuksiewicz

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5441

Authors

Wiktoria Urowska St. Vincent de Paul Hospital, Gdynia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4167-4798
Magdalena Kossmann St. Vincent de Paul Hospital, Gdynia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2822-6669
Amin Abdulgater University Clinical Hospital No. 2 PMU, Szczecin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3782-5776
Paulina Osuch-Tomaszewska University Clinical Hospital No. 2, Szczecin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4204-0273
Laura Szalewska University Clinical Hospital No. 2, Szczecin, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9529-7593
Jędrzej Łysiak University Clinical Hospital No. 2 PMU, Szczecin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5798-3620
Izabela Kazubek-Fuksiewicz Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4433-2638

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5441

Keywords:

Gut–Brain Axis, Gut Microbiome, Psychological Stress, Digital Stress, HPA Axis, Microbiota Dysbiosis

Abstract

The gut–brain axis constitutes a complex, bidirectional communication network integrating neural, endocrine, immune, and metabolic signaling pathways between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that psychological stress can significantly alter gut microbiota composition and function, contributing to the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric disorders. Concurrently, modern digital environments—characterized by pervasive social media use, continuous connectivity, and high levels of information exposure—have emerged as novel and sustained sources of psychological stress.

This review aims to evaluate whether stress associated with digital environments may influence the gut microbiome through established gut–brain axis mechanisms. A structured narrative synthesis of the literature was conducted, focusing on studies examining stress-induced microbiome alterations, neuroendocrine responses, and the physiological consequences of digital stress. Evidence indicates that chronic activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis leads to sustained cortisol release, which may disrupt intestinal barrier integrity, modulate immune responses, and reduce microbial diversity.

Although direct empirical studies linking digital stress to microbiome alterations remain limited, converging evidence from psychoneuroendocrinology and microbiome research supports a biologically plausible pathway. This review proposes an integrative conceptual framework connecting digital stressors with gut microbiome dysregulation.

The findings underscore the importance of considering digital behavior as a potential environmental determinant of physiological health. Future research should incorporate objective measures of digital exposure alongside longitudinal microbiome analyses to clarify causal relationships and support the development of targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies.

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