Investments in probiotic research on mental health proliferating, as demand for pharma alternatives spikes

25 Jul 2022 --- A growing body of research is evidencing the potential of probiotics – dubbed psychobiotics – as an alternative to antidepressants. With consumers increasingly concerned over mental health, NutritionInsight speaks to NZMP on the potential in the space.

“Although there are over 30 US Food and Drug Administration-approved antidepressants and a few dietary ingredients shown in clinical trials to help improve mood, they don’t work for everybody and/or can come with undesirable side effects,” explains Marshall Fong, senior global marketing manager, Active Living, NZMP - Ingredients by Fonterra.

Probiotics have shown promise in a number of health areas, primarily gut, immunity, weight management and women’s health.

Fong describes probiotics as an exciting avenue as “they have very few undesirable side effects.”

Utilizing science for mood
According to Fong, the company first identified benefits for NZMP’s LactoB HN001 probiotic strain in a 2017 study on postpartum symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

“The research found that women who took our probiotic had 1/30th the risk of experiencing postnatal depression than those taking placebo, as measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale,” Fong underscores. 

A joint study between NZMP and Sun Genomics on 58 participants taking LactoB HN001 showed that 72% of participants improved their happiness at 30 days, and 79% of participants improved their happiness at 60 days, as measured by the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. 

“We are starting a larger trial to validate these results this month,” Fong elaborates.

Probiotics could be used for postnatal depression. Expanding use of probiotics
A study earlier this month revealed probiotics may help treat depressive symptoms by targeting the microbiota-gut-brain axis, with companies describing it as “a promising avenue for neuroscience, psychology and psychiatry.”

“It’s becoming clear that probiotics play a meaningful role in the gut-brain axis and that there are other gut-organ relationships that probiotics can influence. The notion of better health through good gut health is not only appealing, it is being demonstrated through emerging research, Fong notes. 

“Given the long safety and efficacy track record of LactoB HN001 in digestive health, we believe there’s significant potential to broaden its use for mood and stress-related issues.”

Embracing alternatives
A key driver for consumers in seeking out probiotics for mental health is safety, Fong explains. “While consumers openly embrace dietary ingredients for a wide range of health and wellness benefits, they simultaneously have concerns about safety and efficacy.”

“There’s a good consensus that probiotics are safe, and suppliers have been willing to invest in clinical trials to demonstrate their efficacy.”

According to Fong, a survey revealed that 18% of current probiotic users are taking probiotics to address mood and stress concerns, while an additional 65% of those who do have mood and stress concerns are open to taking probiotics to help. 

Interest in mood support proliferated as the COVID-19 pandemic affected consumers across the globe with anxiety and depression amid lockdowns. Research is now expanding to encompass psilocybin – the psychedelic compound in “magic” mushrooms. 

A study at Imperial College London unveiled psilocybin works differently from conventional antidepressants – making the brain more flexible and fluid, and less entrenched in the negative thinking patterns associated with depression.  

By Andria Kades