Exploring the promise of psychobiotics: Bridging gut microbiota and mental health for a flourishing society
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Date
2025
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Abstract
Mental health problems have become one of the major issues worldwide. People of every age group and gender
are facing psychological issues. Conventional medicines are not reliable due to their adverse effects like altered
sleeping pattern, addiction and health problems throughout the entire body. Psychobiotics is a new class of
probiotics that is serving a wide range of applications in psychological health. Psychobiotic refers to the bio
logical formulation which when consumed in right amount, confers psychological benefits. A lot of studies have
supported the function of gut microbiota in mood cognition and controlling anxiety. The mechanism of action of
psychobiotics has not been completely investigated. However, it may confer benefits by modulating
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, by directly influencing immune system and through production of
various neurotransmitters and neurohormones like proteins and short fatty acids chains. This review highlights
the potential of different bacterial strains in human and animal trials. It latter also covers various psychobiotics
formulations marketed by different companies. In addition to this, we also tried to cover the various hurdles in
psychobiotic research that need to be addressed in the future to build a prosperous society.