Gut-brain axis: How synbiotics and hypnotherapy may benefit autistic children

A new clinical study suggests that a combined intervention of a synbiotic and “gut-directed” hypnotherapy significantly reduces gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, irritability, and anxiety symptoms in autistic children.

The authors of the new study from the University of Queensland, Australia, published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, say there is an opportunity for supplement manufacturers to tap into demand for reliable, safe, and effective solutions that raise the standard of care for autistic children with comorbid gut symptoms. The team used biotics supplied by dsm-firmenich from its Humiome portfolio.

They note microbiota composition alterations have long been associated with both autism spectrum disorder and gut-brain disorders, which are more common in children with autism. These are typically associated with stereotypical behaviors, such as hyperactivity and anxiety.

“The study contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that modulating the gut microbiome can have far-reaching effects beyond digestion, potentially influencing GI comfort, anxiety, and behavior in autistic children,” says Dr. Robert Steinert, principal scientist at dsm-firmenich.

“It represents a promising step toward a more holistic approach for managing symptoms in autistic children, and more widely, underscores the wider importance of the gut-brain axis in overall well-being,” he notes.

“There is a clear opportunity here for supplement brands to expand their offerings with safe and targeted solutions that support higher standards of care for autistic children with comorbid gut symptoms.”

Synbiotics with or without gut-directed hypnotherapy may help support behavioral symptoms in autistic children who also suffer from gut symptoms.The chosen biotics are proven to improve gut health and support the gut-brain axis. These included a blend of Humiome L. rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103), Humiome L. plantarum DSM 34532 (formerly known as L. plantarum TIFN101), Humiome B. lactis DSM 32269, and B. longum DSM 32946.

Synbiotic synergies

The randomized pilot study involved 40 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder aged five to ten years. It compared the effects of synbiotics alone (“SYN” group) and synbiotics combined with gut-directed hypnotherapy (“COM” group). 

“Probiotics and prebiotics have both shown efficacy in improving GI and behavioral symptoms in autistic children, along with gut-directed hypnotherapy, which is a commonly used treatment that aims to manage anxiety symptoms and normalize signals between the gut and the brain using relaxation techniques, guided imagery, and suggestive storytelling,” details dsm-firmenich. 

The study set out to assess changes in GI scores by evaluating common symptoms, such as constipation or diarrhea, over a 12-week intervention period with a follow-up at 24 weeks.

Both groups exhibited “significant” reductions in GI symptoms post-intervention and at follow-up, with no superiority of the COM treatment over the SYN treatment.

The researchers set a secondary objective to observe improvements in behavioral and anxiety symptoms. The SYN group showed significantly improved scores for hyperactivity and stereotypical behavior.

The COM group also showed improvements in these areas, in addition to irritability, social withdrawal, anxiety, and inappropriate speech when compared to baseline. This group also maintained significant reductions in GI pain scores in the follow-up stage, suggesting lasting benefits of gut-directed hypnotherapy when combined with synbiotic supplementation.

The researchers also assessed changes in gut microbiome composition as an exploratory benefit. These were observed across both groups, and included increases in Bifidobacterium animalis and Dialister, indicating a potential link between microbiome modulation and symptom improvement.

“Together, these data suggest that synbiotics with or without gut-directed hypnotherapy can help to support standard care for autistic children who also suffer from gut symptoms,” concludes dsm-firmenich.