Probiotics for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Atlantia Food Clinical Trials Ltd has considerable experience in conducting clinical studies exploring the potential health benefits of probiotics, in a variety of health areas including digestive health and cardiovascular health. In this whitepaper we explore a relatively new area in the field of probiotics, namely the use of probiotics to promote mental health and wellbeing. A psychobiotic was recently defined as a live organism that, when ingested in adequate amounts, produces a mental health benefit (Dinan, 2013). These psychoactive probiotic bacteria can produce neuroactive compounds which act via the brain-gut axis, through the vagus nerve, spinal cord or neuroendocrine systems. Evidence is starting to accumulate supporting the efficacy of probiotics in the area of mental health, such as IBS, and depression, as researchers identify which strains of bacteria can affect the nervous system, and start to map pathways by which psychobiotics can exert their effects.