Can psycho-biotics elevate mood?

Depression involves a range of biological factors like neurotransmitter imbalance, decreased BDNF, and stress on the HPA axis. The gut-brain axis is key, with intestinal microbes affecting mental health through various pathways. Disruption in this axis, called dysbiosis, can impact neurology, immunity, and gut inflammation. Psycho-biotics, certain probiotics, can enhance mental well-being by fortifying the gut barrier and modulating immune responses. The gut microbiota's role in regulating inflammation is vital in understanding depression's mechanisms.

In the review study, researchers analyzed clinical evidence highlighting the psychobiotic features of bacterial strains and found that probiotics such as B.longum help to decrease stress and enhance memory. When coupled with antidepressants, these probiotics can effectively cure TRD. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus casei Shirota and Lactobacillus gasseri enhance general health and lower mood disorders. Multi-strain probiotic medication also boosts general health, alleviates anxiety symptoms, and reduces inflammation. Probiotic milk drinks and fermented soybean seed paste improve cognitive performance in individuals with moderate cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

The study findings highlighted probiotics' involvement in lowering depressive symptoms and their importance in mental health. The gut microbiota is crucial for digestion, food absorption, and psychiatric concerns such as stress reduction and anxiety. With a shift in the emphasis in modern life from infectious disorders to more common mental illnesses such as depression, good dietary habits and optimal intestinal function are critical for mental well-being, with probiotics playing an important role.

"The increasing acceptance of the expanded concept of the MGB axis underscores the importance of microorganisms in mental well-being," the researchers wrote.

"As there is an increase in our understanding of the microbiome’s role in health and disease, probiotics emerge as promising agents for addressing mental health issues, providing new avenues for therapeutic interventions in depressive disorders."