After anti-probiotics and anti-probiotics, a promising new player with psychobiotics has emerged. This term refers to “good” gut bacteria that have a beneficial effect on brain function. This makes it particularly interesting as a treatment for psychological complaints such as depression.
The link between the gut and the brain has been receiving increased scientific attention for some time. Doctors and scientists have discovered several ways in which the gut bacteria that live in our colon, called the microbiome, communicate with the brain. “This interaction occurs, among other things, through neuroactive substances such as the neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin, which are produced by intestinal bacteria. Serotonin can then reach the brain from the intestine and exert an effect there. This substance has a stimulating effect, including on the Memory, mood, and focus,” says Ted Dinan, a professor of psychiatry (University of Cork) who has been studying the impact of biopsychology for years.
complex
Several studies have previously shown that people with clinical depression also have a less diverse microbiome than healthy people. “Several things affect the composition of gut bacteria,” summarizes Professor Dinan. “This starts at birth. Babies who are born vaginally, for example, are far ahead of their peers who are born by cesarean section and who receive primarily skin bacteria. Your diet also has a big impact, but so does exercise, the use of antibiotics prebiotics, medications, but stress also determines the types of gut bacteria that will colonize.”
biopsychology
Through interventions in diet, medication, but also prebiotics (fiber) and probiotics (bacteria) the composition of the microbiome can be altered in the direction of a more diverse pattern. This is where psychobiotics come in. “The use of some – but certainly not all – probiotics has been shown to have a beneficial effect on people’s mental health. A placebo. The psychobiotics reported feeling less stressed, as confirmed by their saliva, which contained less of the stress hormone cortisol. These students also reported better sleep. better “.
Other smaller studies with biopsychology, including among pregnant women and people with depression, have suggested very positive effects on depression. “This is not surprising, because we know that the microbiome is severely disturbed in people with depression. By interfering with this, something changes in the brain. Thus, modified nutrition and biopsychology can certainly play an additional role in the treatment of these depression-related diseases. , which also applies to exercises”, emphasizes Professor Dinan.
fermented happiness
Of course, the question remains which probiotics are “psychobiotic” and what is the optimal dose to combat depressive symptoms? “Different types of probiotics seem to have beneficial effects on depression and anxiety. We don’t have any idea yet what dosage is most appropriate. This will probably also vary individually, but more studies are needed for this. What I would recommend today is introducing foods Fermented foods are on your menu often. They are an ideal source of probiotics and therefore are also psychoactive. And the more variety, the better. This way you get an array of beneficial probiotics. Supermarkets are full of kombucha, kefir, kimchi or Greek yogurt. This food It also has an anti-inflammatory effect.”
The link between the gut and the brain has been receiving increased scientific attention for some time. Doctors and scientists have discovered several ways in which the gut bacteria that live in our colon, called the microbiome, communicate with the brain. “This interaction occurs, among other things, through neuroactive substances such as the neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin, which are produced by intestinal bacteria. Serotonin can then reach the brain from the intestine and exert an effect there. This substance has a stimulating effect, including on the Memory, mood, and focus.” says Ted Dinan, a professor of psychiatry (University of Cork) who has been studying the impact of biopsychology for years. It has already become clear from various studies that people with clinical depression also have lower microbiome diversity. of healthy materials. “Several things affect the composition of gut bacteria,” summarizes Professor Dinan. “This starts at birth. Babies who are born vaginally, for example, are far ahead of their peers who are born by cesarean section and who receive primarily skin bacteria. Your diet also has a big impact, but so does exercise, the use of antibiotics Prebiotics, medications, but also stress determines the types of gut bacteria that will colonize.” Through interventions in diet, medications, but also prebiotics (fiber) and probiotics (bacteria) the composition of the microbiome can be altered in a more diverse pattern. This is where psychobiotics come in. “The use of some — but certainly not all — probiotics has been shown to have a beneficial effect on people’s mental health. A placebo. Psychology reported feeling less stressed, as confirmed by saliva samples, which contained less stress hormone cortisol. These students also reported better sleep. Better.” Very positive effects on depression. “This is not surprising, because we know that the microbiome is severely disturbed in people with depression. By interfering with this, something changes in the brain. So altered nutrition and biopsychology can certainly play an additional role in treating these depression-related diseases.” This also applies to exercises,” emphasizes Professor Dinan. Naturally, the question remains which probiotics are suitable for “psychobiotics” and what is the optimal dose to combat depressive symptoms? “Different types of probiotics seem to have beneficial effects on depression and anxiety. We don’t have any idea yet what dosage is most appropriate. This will probably also vary individually, but more studies are needed for this. What I would recommend today is introducing foods Fermented foods are on your menu often. They are an ideal source of probiotics and therefore are also psychoactive. And the more variety, the better. This way you get an array of beneficial probiotics. Supermarkets are full of kombucha, kefir, kimchi or Greek yogurt. This food It also has an anti-inflammatory effect.”
