Psychobiotics and the links to our body
What are Psychobiotics?
Psychobiotics refer to live bacteria that when ingested in appropriate amounts might confer a mental health benefit due to their interaction with our gut microbiome
The discovery of Psychobiotics
The term psychobiotics was first introduced by the psychiatrist Ted Dinan and the neuroscientist John Cryan, a new group of probiotics that positively affect people suffering from mental and neurological conditions.
Psychobiotics include strains of probiotic bacteria that affect the body through the gut–brain axis. They have been associated with wide range of beneficial effects, including the tightness of the intestine, the natural balance of neurotransmitters and hormones, the stimulation of some metabolic pathways (4)
The use of Psychobiotics
Probiotics are most commonly used as supportive therapy during courses of antibiotics or immediately after their usage. Probiotics are aimed to restore the integrity of the intestinal bacterial ecosystem, known as the microbiome. (3)
The effect of psychobiotics is attributed to their impact on the intestinal microorganisms and the gut brain axis in particular. This two-way signalling system between the brain and the gastrointestinal system is influenced by organisms in the psychobiotics. (1) Recent clinical research demonstrates that the intestinal microbiome plays a role in the development of mental health and neurological conditions. (5) The interactions among this multitude of bacteria, fungi and viruses in the gut are complex. The abundance of short-chain fatty acids is important for the healthy functioning of the brain. The microbiome is closely connected to the endocrine glands that trigger and regulate the stress response in the body.
Types of Psychobiotics
The common psychobiotic bacteria belong to the family of Lactobacilli, Streptococci, Bifidobacteria, Escherichia and Enterococci.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus is a microorganism, located in the human gut. It is one of the most popular probiotic species found in common supplements. Lactobacillus rhamnosus can be found in some yogurt and dairy products, such as fermented and unpasteurized milk and semi-hard cheese. (7)
Bifidobacterium longum is another microorganism, present in the human gut. It is often added to food as it can help prevent the growth of pathogenic organisms. According to clinical research it is proven to help treat depression. (6,7)
Lactobacillus plantarum is another probiotic species that can reduce anxiety.
In one study, researchers gave lactobacillus plantarum to patients with irritable bowel syndrome and it significantly reduced their anxiety and improved their quality of life. (6)
Lactobacillus helveticus is a probiotic strain that has been shown to reduce cortisol and have anti-anxiety effects in humans.
Lactobacillus reuteri is a bacterium with anti-inflammatory effects that scientists first discovered in the 1980s. Lactobacillus reuteri is definitely the psychobiotic strain worth trying in cases of social anxiety or symptoms of autism. (6,7)
Lactobacillus casei is the dominant species in naturally fermented Sicilian green olives, and can also be found in other fermented vegetables and dairy products. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.
Lactobacillus fermentum is another species, part of the human microbiome and commonly found in fermented vegetables.
The growing interest in psychobiotics and their benefits on mental health raises many questions, unanswered for science. Despite the challenges, the growing interest in this field of medical science is promising and generates public attention. Just like probiotics, psychobiotics are not available yet on prescription in the UK, due to lack of evidence-based evidence. Afterall innovation takes time to reach main-stream medical practice.
Recent scientific reviews, highlight the scope and advancement made in the field, enlisting numerous commercial psychobiotics probiotics that have flooded the market. There are concerns about the lack of regulation in the probiotic market, ultimately confusing consumers. More research is needed to evaluate the effects and clinical benefits of psychobiotics.
Reference;
Sharma, R., Gupta, D., Mehrotra, R. and Mago, P., 2021. Psychobiotics: thenext-generation probiotics for the brain. Current microbiology, 78(2), pp.449-463.
Cheng, L.H., Liu, Y.W., Wu, C.C., Wang, S. and Tsai, Y.C., 2019. Psychobiotics in mental health, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Journal of food and drug analysis, 27(3), pp.632-648.
Averina, O.V., Zorkina, Y.A., Yunes, R.A., Kovtun, A.S., Ushakova, V.M., Morozova, A.Y., Kostyuk, G.P., Danilenko, V.N. and Chekhonin, V.P., 2020. Bacterial metabolites of human gut microbiota correlating with depression. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(23), p.9234.
Hutkins, R.W., Krumbeck, J.A., Bindels, L.B., Cani, P.D., Fahey Jr, G., Goh, Y.J., Hamaker, B., Martens, E.C., Mills, D.A., Rastal, R.A. and Vaughan, E., 2016. Prebiotics: why definitions matter. Current opinion in biotechnology, 37, pp.1-7.
Skowron, K., Budzyńska, A., Wiktorczyk-Kapischke, N., Chomacka, K., Grudlewska-Buda, K., Wilk, M., Wałecka-Zacharska, E., Andrzejewska, M. and Gospodarek-Komkowska, E. (2022). The Role of Psychobiotics in Supporting the Treatment of Disturbances in the Functioning of the Nervous System—A Systematic Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, [online] 23(14), p.7820. doi:10.3390/ijms23147820.
Smith, C.J., Emge, J.R., Berzins, K., Lung, L., Khamishon, R., Shah, P., Rodrigues, D.M., Sousa, A.J., Reardon, C., Sherman, P.M., Barrett, K.E. and Gareau, M.G. (2014). Probiotics normalize the gut-brain-microbiota axis in immunodeficient mice. American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, [online] 307(8), pp.G793–G802. doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00238.2014.
Optimal Living Dynamics. (n.d.). The 9 Most Promising Psychobiotics for Anxiety. [online] Available at: https://www.optimallivingdynamics.com/blog/the-9-most-promising-psychobiotics-for-anxiety.
