Sepsis can cause brain dysfunction called sepsis-associated encephalopathy, leading to memory problems and confusion in about one-third to two-thirds of sepsis patients. The bacteria in your gut communicate with your brain through multiple pathways, and when sepsis disrupts this communication, it causes harmful inflammation in the brain. Treatments like probiotics and transplanting healthy gut bacteria from donors show promise in animal studies and early human trials for improving memory and cognitive function after sepsis.