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. 2025 Feb 25;26(5):1972.
doi: 10.3390/ijms26051972.

Can We Modulate Our Second Brain and Its Metabolites to Change Our Mood? A Systematic Review on Efficacy, Mechanisms, and Future Directions of "Psychobiotics"

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Can We Modulate Our Second Brain and Its Metabolites to Change Our Mood? A Systematic Review on Efficacy, Mechanisms, and Future Directions of "Psychobiotics"

Stefania Garzone et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Psychobiotics, live microorganisms that provide mental health by interacting with the gut microbiota, are emerging as a promising therapeutic option for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Their effectiveness in addressing conditions such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, stress, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and eating disorders were examined through a comprehensive analysis of existing studies up to the first half of 2024, based on data from reliable electronic databases. We found that psychobiotics can significantly reduce symptoms of various psychiatric disorders by influencing neurotransmitter levels, regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and improving gut barrier function through short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and other metabolites. However, several limitations were identified, including inconsistent study methodologies, small sample sizes, and a lack of data on long-term safety. Addressing these limitations through rigorous research is essential for establishing standardized protocols and fully confirming the therapeutic potential of psychobiotics. In conclusion, psychobiotics show great promise as complementary treatments for mental health conditions, but continued research is necessary to refine their application and integrate them into clinical practice effectively.

Keywords: gut-brain axis; neurodevelopmental disorders; neurotransmitters; probiotics; psychiatric disorders.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow diagram of study screening and selection.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sankey diagram linking the psychobiotics species and disorders for which they have been shown to have a positive effect in the studies reviewed. The thickness of the lines, corresponding to the bacterial species, is proportional to the number of studies in which they have been used for psychobiotic therapies that have shown positive results. For example, Lactobacillus gasseri species was used positively in only one study for the treatment of stress, while below, Lactobacillus rhamnosus provided positive effects in two studies: one for the treatment of stress and one for mild cognitive impairment.

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