Evidence supporting the use of: Bifidobacterium longum
For the health condition: Anxiety Disorders

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Bifidobacterium longum is a probiotic bacterium that has garnered scientific interest for its potential effects on mental health, including anxiety disorders. The rationale for its use is based on the concept of the "gut-brain axis," which describes the bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. Animal studies have shown that B. longum can modulate behavior under stress, reduce anxiety-like symptoms, and influence neurotransmitter levels. For example, a 2011 study (Savignac et al., Neuroscience) demonstrated that B. longum reduced anxiety-like behavior in mice. In humans, a small number of clinical trials provide preliminary support: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Allen et al., Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 2016) found that a combination of B. longum 1714 and other probiotics reduced subjective measures of stress and improved memory in healthy volunteers. Another study (Tillisch et al., Gastroenterology, 2013) showed that probiotic intake altered brain activity in areas involved in emotion and sensation.

However, evidence remains limited, with most studies being small, short-term, and sometimes using multi-strain formulations, making it difficult to ascribe the effects solely to B. longum. Systematic reviews (e.g., Liu et al., General Psychiatry, 2019) conclude that while probiotics may benefit mood and anxiety, larger and more rigorous human studies are needed. Thus, the evidence is promising but not yet robust, meriting a moderate evidence rating.

More about Bifidobacterium longum
More about Anxiety Disorders

Other ingredients used for Anxiety Disorders

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Aconite
Albizia
amino acids
apigenin
ashwagandha
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
Baikal Skullcap
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium longum
brahmi
cannabidiol
Cannabis sativa oil
Capitate Valerian
catnip
Centella asiatica
chamomile
Clary sage
cocoa
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Convolvulus prostratus
cowslip
curcumin
Cymbopogon martini
essential oil blend
gastrodin
Gelsemium
ginkgo biloba
Ginkgoside
ginseng
gotu kola
green tea
Griffonia simplicifolia
hemp
hemp oil
herbal blend (proprietary)
hericium mushroom
Honokiol
hyperforin
Hypericum
inositol
jujubosides
kava
kavalactones
Kefir
L-glycine
L-taurine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Large-leaved linden
Lavandin
lavender
lemon balm
linalool
linden
lion's mane
lithium orotate
magnesium
magnolia
magnolol
Matcha
Melatonin
Mesembrine
Mimulus
Monoterpenes
Motherwort
Muira puama
Mulungu
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
omega-3 fatty acids
passionflower
Passionfruit
phosphatidylserine
phytocannabinoids
Polygala
polygala root
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
probiotics
Pulsatilla
Purple Monkeyflower
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
reishi mushroom
relora® (proprietary)
Rhodiola
rosavins
rosmarinic acid
Safranal
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Sandalwood
sceletium
Scleranthus annus
Shankhpushpi
shen-chu
skullcap
Spikenard
St. John's Wort
star of Bethlehem
Tea
Terpenoids
Tetrahydropalmatine
Trichilia catigua
Valerenic acid
Valerian root
velvet bean
Vervain
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
Vitexin
Waterhyssop
Wogonin
Yohimbine
Zinc