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Gut microbiota taxa are causally associated with insomnia risk in European ancestry individuals

A Mendelian randomization study identified that Enterorhabdus, Family XIII AD3011 group, Paraprevotella, and Lachnospiraceae UCG004 increase insomnia risk, while Coprococcus1, Coprobacter, Desulfovibrio, Flavonifractor, Olsenella, Odoribacter, and Oscillibacter decrease risk. For specific insomnia phenotypes, Eisenbergiella increased risk of trouble falling asleep, while Haemophilus and Eubacterium brachy group reduced it; Family XIII UCG001, Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group, and Olsenella increased risk of waking too early, while Eubacterium brachy group and Victivallis reduced it.

Last updated: Aug 26, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Appraising the Effects of Gut Microbiota on Insomnia Risk Through Genetic Causal Analysis.

observational

Li P, Wang S, Li J, Xiao Z, Zhu H, Sheng D, Liu W, Xiao B, Zhou L · American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics : the official publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics (2025)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Genetic variants associated with gut microbiota abundance (Mendelian randomization)
Outcome: Insomnia risk (general insomnia, trouble falling asleep, waking too early)
Effect Size: N/A (odds ratios not explicitly reported in abstract)
Population: Individuals of European ancestry (GWAS data from MiBioGen, Neale Lab, and FinnGen)

Result:

PubMed: 39754389DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.33021

Mechanism Graph

Gut microbiota produce neuroactive metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, neurotransmitters)
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These metabolites influence the gut-brain axis via vagus nerve, immune, or endocrine pathways
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Altered signaling affects hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sleep-regulating brain regions
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Result: Modulation of insomnia risk

Limitations

  • ⚠Mendelian randomization cannot establish direct causality at the individual level; results reflect genetic predisposition
  • ⚠Study limited to European ancestry, reducing generalizability to other populations
  • ⚠Abstract does not report specific effect sizes or confidence intervals for each taxon

Frequently Asked Questions

What gut bacteria were associated with increased insomnia risk?▼

Enterorhabdus, Family XIII AD3011 group, Paraprevotella, and Lachnospiraceae UCG004 were linked to higher insomnia risk.

Did the study find any bacteria that protect against insomnia?▼

Yes, Coprococcus1, Coprobacter, Desulfovibrio, Flavonifractor, Olsenella, Odoribacter, and Oscillibacter were associated with decreased insomnia risk.

What method was used to test causality?▼

The study used Mendelian randomization with inverse-variance weighted (IVW) as the primary method, plus several sensitivity analyses.

Can changing diet to alter gut microbiota help with insomnia?▼

This study provides genetic evidence for causal links, but direct dietary intervention studies are needed to confirm whether modifying these bacteria affects insomnia.

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References

  1. 1.Li P, Wang S, Li J, Xiao Z, Zhu H, Sheng D, Liu W, Xiao B, Zhou L. "Appraising the Effects of Gut Microbiota on Insomnia Risk Through Genetic Causal Analysis.." American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics : the official publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics, 2025. PMID: 39754389 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.33021
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.