For years, anxiety treatment has centred around options such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and cognitive behavioural therapy. But what if the key to easing anxiety isn’t just in the brain – but also in the gut?
Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School and the National Neuroscience Institute have discovered a direct link between gut microbes and anxiety-related behaviour. Their research, published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, suggests that probiotics could support anxiety management by influencing brain function.
The Gut-Brain Connection
The gut and brain communicate through the gut-brain axis, a complex network of nerves, hormones, and immune signals. Trillions of gut microbes produce compounds that impact mood and stress responses.
One key discovery involves indoles. Indoles are microbial metabolites produced by certain microbes, that help regulate activity in the brain’s anxiety centre, the basolateral amygdala (BLA).
Institute of Singapore (Photo credit: National Neuroscience Institute of Singapore)
Professor Sven Pettersson from the Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute of Singapore, who is also a lead author of the study, elaborates:
“Indoles are known to be secreted in plants when they are exposed to stress or malnutrition (draught) and in this paper we report a similar mechanism in which indoles can regulate anxiety levels in mammals.”
The researchers observed that mice without gut microbes exhibited higher anxiety and through brain activity. When the scientists introduced probiotics (live microbes) or indoles, they became less anxious.
This opens up possibilities for probiotic-based interventions.
Can Probiotics Help Manage Anxiety?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. Researchers have linked certain strains to improved gut health, immune function, and potential mental health benefits.
Some studies suggest that probiotics may help:
- Regulate Stress Hormones – Gut microbes influence cortisol (stress hormone) level, which often rise in people with anxiety disorders.
- Increase Neurotransmitter Production – Some probiotic strains are known to produce gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin, neurotransmitters that play roles in mood regulation.
- Reduce Inflammation – Chronic inflammation is linked to anxiety and depression. A balanced gut microbiome helps control inflammatory responses that can impact mental health.
While the research is promising, one should not use probiotics as a standalone treatment for anxiety. Instead, they could work alongside medications and therapy to enhance overall mental well-being.
What’s Next for Probiotic-Based Anxiety Therapies?
Professor Patrick Tan, Senior Vice-Dean for Research at Duke-NUS, is optimistic about the findings.
“This has huge potential for people suffering from stress-related conditions, such as sleep disorders or those unable to tolerate standard psychiatric medications.”
The idea of using probiotics to support anxiety treatment is still in its early stages, but the team is already looking into the potential for indole-based probiotics or supplements as part of mental health care.
Through clinical trials, they will be able to then determine their effectiveness, optimal dosages, and which probiotic strains provide the most benefit. If successful, this could mark the beginning of a new era in mental health care—one where gut microbes help keep our minds at ease.
With growing evidence supporting the gut-brain connection, mental health treatment may soon take a more holistic approach—one that doesn’t just focus on the mind, but also the microbes that shape it.
Would you consider adding probiotics to your anxiety management routine?
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