Gut Bless Your Pain—Roles of the Gut Microbiota, Sleep, and Melatonin in Chronic Orofacial Pain and Depression

Abstract

Background. Increased attention has been paid to the gut–brain axis recently, but little is known so far regarding how this translates into pain susceptibility. Aim. The aim of this review is to determine whether gastroenterological disorders and sleep disorders (directly or indirectly) contribute to an increased susceptibility to depression and chronic orofacial pain. Method. A search was performed in the U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed) database in order to find studies published before 19 December 2021. We used the following terms: gut microbiome, OR sleep quality, OR melatonin, OR GERD, OR IBS, AND: depression OR chronic pain, in different configurations. Only papers in English were selected. Given the large number of papers retrieved in the search, their findings were described and organized narratively. Results. A link exists between sleep disorders and gastroenterological disorders, which, by adversely affecting the psyche and increasing inflammation, disturb the metabolism of tryptophan and cause excessive microglial activation, leading to increased susceptibility to pain sensation and depression. Conclusions. Pain therapists should pay close attention to sleep and gastrointestinal disorders in patients with chronic pain and depression.

Keywords

• gut microbiota
• temporomandibular disorders
• orofacial pain
• bruxism
• melatonin
• sleep