Psychobiotics - what are they? - Discover probiotics for depression

If our gut suffers, our brain suffers - as more and more studies on gut health and the psyche are proving. The decisive factor here is the work of our intestinal flora - more precisely - the activity of our beneficial and tireless intestinal inhabitants. This is precisely why Irish researchers created a new term for probiotics in 2013 - psychobiotics.

What are psychobiotics?

As the name suggests, this is about probiotics for the psyche. These living organisms - primarily bifido- and lactobacillus strains - are said to bring health benefits to patients with mental illnesses when ingested in sufficient quantities. Psychobiotics have the potential to act as a new therapy for anxiety, stress and depressive disorders in particular. Some preclinical studies have already produced promising results. 

➤ The microbiome rules our psyche!

From the gut to the brain - an exciting journey

You may have heard this before: "There is a second brain in our gut." Scientists are referring to the gut, as it is a highly complex nervous system similar to our brain. The gut thinks for itself, makes decisions independently and sets processes in motion. It also contains many beneficial intestinal bacteria that help it to break down food, strengthen the immune system and produce neuroactive substances such as the calming gamma-aminobutyric acid and the happiness hormone serotonin.

And it is precisely these important substances that have to be transported from the intestine to the brain via the so-called gut-brain axis in order to be effective.

In concrete terms, this means that the messenger substances produced in the gut can very easily influence our psyche - both positively and negatively.

➤ It is estimated that 95% of serotonin is found in the gut!

How do psychobiotics help our psyche?

In recent years, several studies have been carried out on this topic and the importance of considering the microbiome (intestinal flora) in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders has been discovered. Psychobiotic preparations have since been seen as a promising alternative therapy and support for depression.

The following findings have been made so far:

• The healthier the microbiome (gut flora), the better the exchange and communication between the gut and brain. However, this means that an unbalanced microbiome has a negative impact on mood and emotions and could be a contributory cause of anxiety, depression and stress. And vice versa, according to experts, mental illnesses are said to cause profound changes in the composition of the gut microbiome. So there is a certain interaction.
• Preclinical studies on animals indicate that certain psychobiotics have an antidepressant effect. To date, psychobiotics have been used successfully in psychiatric practice, for example in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. This type of patient often shows signs of depression. 
• The right gut bacteria ensure that sufficient serotonin is produced and made available to the brain via the gut-brain axis. Serotonin is considered the happiness hormone, which is less available in people with depression.
• In a 2011 study, daily administration of probiotics reduced symptoms of psychological stress and cortisol levels in healthy volunteers.
• In an 8-week study from 2020, a psychobiotic combination of two bacterial cultures significantly improved depression symptoms in test subjects. 

➤ Unbalanced intestinal flora increases the risk of depression!

Probiotika Forte Plus from Herbano 

Our Probiotika Forte Plus contains 13 valuable viable lactic acid cultures from bifido- and lactobacillus strains. It also contains organic inulin and organic rice starch as a high-quality prebiotic, which is directly available to the beneficial intestinal bacteria as food. Thanks to the selected formula, the intestinal cultures can be optimally absorbed by the intestine, colonize and thus support a healthy microbiome.

Conclusion:

Psychobiotics are probiotics and prebiotics which, when taken in sufficient quantities, have a positive influence on mental health. This happens through a lively exchange via the gut-brain axis. Intestinal bacteria produce the messenger substances that we need for our well-being, such as the happiness hormone serotonin. If there is too little of this, it can promote depression. This is why people with depression in particular can benefit directly from treating the gut and its microbiome. 

You have the power to positively influence your psyche and well-being with the help of your gut health!

 

Sources (in English):

Dinan, T. G., Stanton, C. & Cryan, J. F. (2013, November). Psychobiotics: A Novel Class of Psychotropic. Biological Psychiatry, Volume 74, Issue 10, P720-726, doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.05.001

Mörkl, S., Butler, M. I., Chichini, F., Cryan, J. F. & Dinan, T. (2020, July). Psychobiotics: Biotherapeutics for Positive Mental Health. Oxford Handbooks Online, doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190931544.013.7

Bambury, A., Sandhu, K., Cryan, J. F., & Dinan, T. G. (2018). Finding the needle in the haystack: systematic identification of psychobiotics. British journal of pharmacology, 175(24), 4430–4438. doi: 10.1111/bph.14127

Bermúdez-Humarán, L. G., Salinas, E., Ortiz, G. G., Ramirez-Jirano, L. J., Morales, J. A., & Bitzer-Quintero, O. K. (2019). From Probiotics to Psychobiotics: Live Beneficial Bacteria Which Act on the Brain-Gut Axis. Nutrients, 11(4), 890. doi: 10.3390/nu11040890

Gnanavel S. (2015). Psychobiotics: the latest psychotropics. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 37(1), 110. doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.150862

Messaoudi, M., Lalonde, R., Violle, N., Javelot, H., Desor, D., Nejdi, A., Bisson, J. F., Rougeot, C., Pichelin, M., Cazaubiel, M., & Cazaubiel, J. M. (2011). Assessment of psychotropic-like properties of a probiotic formulation (Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175) in rats and human subjects. The British journal of nutrition, 105(5), 755–764. doi: 10.1017/S0007114510004319

Heidarzadeh-Rad, N., Gökmen-Özel, H., Kazemi, A., Almasi, N., & Djafarian, K. (2020). Effects of a Psychobiotic Supplement on Serum Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Depressive Patients: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of neurogastroenterology and motility, 26(4), 486–495. doi: 10.5056/jnm20079