Theoretical Mechanisms of Unprocessed Bovine Milk in Modulating Human Subjective Well-Being, Neuroendocrine Function, and Gut-Brain Signaling: A Hypothesis Paper

This manuscript presents a theoretical hypothesis exploring whether unprocessed bovine milk could influence subjective well-being, relaxation, and mood-related processes through biological pathways associated with the gut-brain axis. The paper examines potential mechanisms involving α-lactalbumin-derived tryptophan availability, casein-derived opioid peptide signaling, milk fat globule membrane components, extracellular vesicles, and native whey protein bioactivity. This work does not claim that raw milk has proven neuropsychological effects. Instead, it evaluates whether differences in milk component structure between unprocessed and thermally processed milk could represent biologically plausible mechanisms that warrant further investigation. Established evidence, mechanistic plausibility, uncertainties, alternative explanations, and potential experimental approaches are discussed.