Emerging scientific evidence suggests that prebiotic blends may have a modest role in supporting mental health, including anxiety disorders, primarily through their effects on the gut-brain axis. Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species. Several animal studies have demonstrated that prebiotic supplementation can reduce anxiety-like behaviors, possibly by modulating gut microbiota, reducing inflammation, and impacting neurotransmitter production (e.g., serotonin and GABA).

Human data are more limited but growing. A few double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have shown that specific prebiotics (notably galactooligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides) can reduce self-reported stress and cortisol levels, both of which are relevant to anxiety. For example, a 2015 study (Schmidt et al., Psychopharmacology) reported that a daily dose of galactooligosaccharides for three weeks reduced the attentional vigilance to negative information and decreased waking cortisol in healthy volunteers. However, these effects were modest, and most studies have not specifically targeted patients with clinical anxiety disorders.

In summary, while there is some early scientific rationale and preclinical evidence supporting prebiotics for anxiety, robust clinical data are lacking, and effects appear modest at best. Therefore, prebiotic blends are not considered a primary or stand-alone treatment for anxiety disorders, but they may have adjunctive value in supporting overall mental well-being.