#psychobiotics

The Gut–Brain Axis: Emerging Insights into Microbiome Influence on Mental Health

Mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and stress-related conditions, represent a growing global health concern. In recent years, scientific research has increasingly highlighted the important role of the gut microbiome in influencing brain function and emotional well-being. This evolving area of study, commonly referred to as the gut–brain axis, is reshaping our understanding of how gastrointestinal health impacts neurological and psychological processes.

At the 16th World Probiotics, Nutrition, Gut Health Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for December 10–11, 2026, in Kuala Lumpur, Track 6: Gut–Brain Axis and Mental Health will focus on recent scientific advances exploring the complex interactions between gut microbiota and brain health.

Understanding the Gut–Brain Axis

The gut–brain axis refers to the bidirectional communication network connecting the gastrointestinal system and the central nervous system. This complex interaction occurs through multiple pathways, including neural signaling, immune responses, endocrine mechanisms, and microbial metabolites.

The human gastrointestinal tract hosts trillions of microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiota. These microorganisms produce a wide range of biologically active compounds, including neurotransmitters, short-chain fatty acids, and other metabolites that can influence brain signaling, mood regulation, and cognitive function.

Research has also demonstrated that the gut microbiome interacts with the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates the body's stress response. Disruptions in microbial balance may therefore contribute to alterations in stress regulation and emotional health.

The Role of Microbiota in Mental Health

Emerging studies suggest that microbial imbalance, or dysbiosis, may be associated with several neuropsychiatric conditions. Differences in gut microbial composition have been observed in individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.

The mechanisms through which gut microbiota may influence brain function include:

Production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Regulation of immune activity and inflammatory responses

Modulation of stress hormones through the HPA axis

Neural communication via the vagus nerve

Through these interconnected pathways, the gut microbiome may influence emotional regulation, behavioral responses, and cognitive processes.

Probiotics and the Emergence of Psychobiotics

Recent research has explored the potential of probiotics—beneficial microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts—to support mental well-being.

Certain strains belonging to the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have demonstrated promising results in studies examining their effects on stress, anxiety, and mood regulation.

This has led to the introduction of the concept of psychobiotics, a class of probiotics that may positively influence mental health through interactions with the gut–brain axis. Ongoing research continues to investigate their mechanisms of action, clinical effectiveness, and potential role in complementary mental health therapies.

Research Opportunities and Future Directions

Although the relationship between gut microbiota and mental health has shown significant promise, further research is required to fully understand its clinical implications. Key areas of investigation include:

Identification of probiotic strains with specific neurological benefits

Optimal dosage and duration of probiotic interventions

Individual variations in microbiome composition and response

Long-term outcomes of microbiome-based therapeutic strategies

Interdisciplinary collaboration between microbiologists, neuroscientists, clinicians, and nutrition researchers will be essential for advancing this field.

Advancing the Discussion at the 16th World Probiotics Conference

Track 6: Gut–Brain Axis and Mental Health will bring together leading researchers, healthcare professionals, and industry experts to examine the latest scientific findings and innovations in microbiome-based mental health research.

Key discussion areas will include:

Gut microbiota and neurological health

Psychobiotics and mental health interventions

Nutrition and microbiome-driven mental wellness

Microbiome modulation for cognitive function

Clinical applications of gut–brain axis research

This track will provide an important platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and exploration of emerging therapeutic strategies.

Participate in the Conference

Researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals are invited to contribute their expertise and participate in this global scientific forum.

Submit your abstract: https://probiotics-guthealth.utilitarianconferences.com/submit-abstract

Register for the conference: https://probiotics-guthealth.utilitarianconferences.com/registration

Conference Website: https://probiotics-guthealth.utilitarianconferences.com

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The idea that bacteria can cause all kinds of beneficial effects on our health is part of popular knowledge. Not in vain, it is estimated that more than 48 billion of these microorganisms live in our bodies, playing a fundamental role in all types of physical processes, such as digestion.

However, did you know that bacteria can also cause important changes in our mood? The latest research seems…

Fear is a normal that allows an individual to perceive and deal with an impending threat. Fear is hard-wired into us and controlled by the amygdala.

Understanding how fear and fear-associated memories are controlled is a significant step necessary for the development of therapies for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and certain phobias. The relatively recent discovery of the gut-brain axis has tantalizingly revealed that the bacteria in our intestines (the gut microbiome) have the capacity to alter stress and anxiety-related behaviors.

Now scientists at the APC Microbiome Institute at University College Cork, have discovered that the microbiome regulates fear responses. They believe that their discovery will lead to new treatments for a range of anxiety disorders.

The research team used germ-free mice (never exposed to bacteria) to test the role of the microbiome in fear. They found that mice with no microbiome were less afraid than mice that grew up with an intact microbiome.

At the molecular level, they discovered that the amygdala (the emotional processing center of the brain) was hyperactive in the germ-free mice, which shows that the gut microbiome is necessary for a normal fear response.

The research team is actively seeking to develop new microbiome-focused therapies as a treatment for anxiety disorders. One potential approach to this could be a new psychobiotic, a probiotic with mood-altering effects.

1. Exercise to Fix Dysbiosis

Reduced microbial diversity, i.e. a poor mix of healthy gut bacteria, has been linked to a plethora of diseases such as diabetes, colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Previous research has suggested that exercise may improve a persons overall health by helping to improve the mix (diversity) of the gut microbiome. However, analysing the microbiomes of athletes can be difficult due to their high-protein diets.

Now a team from the University of British Columbia has managed to analyse the microbiomes of 39 healthy people with similar age, BMI, and diets but with varying fitness levels. 

The researchers found that fitness correlated with increased diversity (a good mix) of the gut microbiome along with an increased production of the short chain fatty acid butyrate. These were independent of diet. The findings support the role of exercise as a beneficial addition in the treatment of conditions associated with microbiome dysbiosis.

The study is here.

2. Teaching Computers to Identify Sick Guts

A study from researchers at the University of California San Diego has succeeded in training computers to recognize what healthy and unhealthy gut microbiomes look like based on their genetic makeup. Because this can be done by analysing poop, the researchers think that it has great potential to be used as a non-invasive diagnostic tool.

The study is here (pdf).

3. The Potential of Bifidobacterium longum as a Psychobiotic

If you’ve not heard about psychobiotics, the concept is simple: probiotics with potential mental health benefits. There are currently no proven psychobiotics, but animal research shows promise and human studies are well under way.

Recent preclinical studies have identified the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum 1714 as a potential psychobiotic that influences stress-related behaviours and cognitive performance. Now a team from the University of Cork has run a placebo-controlled study with 22 healthy volunteers (a fairly small sample) to test whether taking this potential psychobiotic could affect the stress response, cognition and brain activity patterns.

In the study, published in the journal Translational Psychiatry, the researchers found that participants who took B. longum 1714 for 4-weeks made less cortisol (a stress hormone) when put under stress, compared to those taking the placebo. Those taking the psychobiotic also reported less stress in their daily lives. The team also noticed subtle improvements in memory, attention, social awareness and emotional processing. These are fairly small, early studies, but they show a lot of promise.

Hello holobionts! 

“Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food.”