Consuming beneficial microorganisms may help treat mental disorders. A new study has demonstrated that probiotics significantly boost the effectiveness of standard antidepressants, enabling faster relief from anxiety. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
The experiment investigated the link—often overlooked—between the gut microbiome and human mood. Researchers conducted a pilot clinical trial involving 58 volunteers. All participants were over the age of 60 and had been diagnosed with moderate depression. Throughout the study, they continued taking their usual antidepressant medications.
The participants were divided into two equal groups. For 12 weeks, the first group received a daily live probiotic supplement, while the second group was given an identical-looking placebo. Following the treatment period, the volunteers’ condition was monitored by medical professionals for an additional three months.
By the end of the experiment, improvements in well-being were observed in both groups. However, the older adults who had also taken beneficial bacteria showed a more pronounced reduction in symptoms of depression and general anxiety.
In addition to using questionnaires, the medical team measured levels of a specific protein responsible for the growth and survival of nerve cells in the brain and analyzed gut bacterial composition. The results demonstrated that probiotic therapy is effective at a physiological level.
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