Evidence supporting the use of: Lactobacillus casei
For the health condition: Anxiety Disorders

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Synopsis

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

Lactobacillus casei is a probiotic bacterium that has been investigated in recent years for its potential effects on mental health, including anxiety disorders. The rationale behind its use is rooted in the gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication network linking the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. Preclinical studies, primarily in rodents, have demonstrated that supplementation with L. casei can modulate behavior and reduce anxiety-like symptoms, potentially through mechanisms involving modulation of inflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitter production (such as GABA), and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In humans, the evidence is still emerging. A small number of clinical trials and pilot studies suggest that multispecies probiotics containing L. casei may help reduce subjective anxiety and improve mood in populations under stress, such as medical students or individuals with mild-to-moderate anxiety symptoms. However, these studies often use mixtures of probiotic strains, making it difficult to attribute effects solely to L. casei. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses note that while results are encouraging, the overall strength of evidence is low due to methodological limitations, small sample sizes, and heterogeneity among studies. In summary, the use of L. casei for anxiety disorders is supported by plausible mechanisms and some early human data, but robust, large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy. Current scientific evidence justifies cautious optimism, but not routine use for this indication.

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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