Evidence supporting the use of: Probiotics
For the health condition: Anxiety Disorders
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
There is emerging scientific interest in the use of probiotics to support mental health, including anxiety disorders, based on the concept of the “gut-brain axis.” This axis refers to the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system. Several animal studies and a growing number of small human clinical trials have suggested that certain probiotic strains may influence neurotransmitter levels, reduce inflammation, and modulate stress responses, which could theoretically help with anxiety symptoms.
However, the current body of evidence is preliminary and mixed. Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown modest, if any, benefit of probiotics over placebo for reducing anxiety in otherwise healthy individuals and in people with diagnosed anxiety disorders. The studies often have small sample sizes, use different probiotic strains and formulations, and vary in outcome measures, leading to heterogeneity and limited generalizability. Notably, the American Psychiatric Association and other major psychiatric organizations do not currently recommend probiotics as a primary or adjunctive treatment for anxiety disorders.
In summary, while there is some scientific rationale and early clinical data suggesting probiotics may have a role in modulating anxiety, the evidence is insufficient and inconsistent. Probiotics are not yet considered an evidence-based treatment for anxiety disorders, and further high-quality research is needed.
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
Other health conditions supported by probiotics
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Acne
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Autism
Bladder Infection
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Colitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diverticulitis
Eczema
Endurance (lack of)
Enteritis
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Lactose Intolerance
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Mastitis
