Il psychological well-being it is a fundamental aspect of our overall health. In an increasingly hectic and stressful world, more and more people find themselves fighting against disorders such as anxiety, stress and depression. While traditional medications are often used to treat these disorders, there is growing interest in terapie alternative and complementary medications that can offer relief without the side effects often associated with conventional medications. A recent study examined the positive therapeutic effect of a mix of eight physiological bacterial strains, commonly present in intestinal florain the treatment of disorders such as anxiety and depression.
The role of probiotics in mental health
In recent years, scientific research has highlighted an interesting link between gut health and mental well-being. The so-called gut-microbiome-brain axis is becoming an increasingly important field of study, as interactions between the intestinal bacterial flora and the brain appear to influence not only physical health, but also mental health.
And recent study conducted by the Gut-Brain Microbiome research group of the Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology of the National Research Council (Cnr-Ibbc) in Rome has added new knowledge to this area of research. Published in the magazine Microbiomethe study examined the therapeutic effects of a mix of eight probiotic bacterial strains on mental health, specifically on the treatment of anxiety and depression.
The intestinal bacterial flora, or microbiota, It plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our digestive system and influences numerous aspects of our health, including mental health. There intestinal dysbiosisthat is, the alteration of the composition and function of the microbiota, has been associated with several disorders, including anxiety and depression.
Results of the study
The study conducted by the Cnr-Ibbc demonstrated that the treatment with the probiotic mix was able to significantly attenuate intestinal dysbiosis and to provide an anxiolytic and antidepressant action in a murine model. Furthermore, the probiotic mix has been shown to reduce chronic neuro-inflammatory processes and improve neuroplasticity mechanisms, which could have important implications for human mental health.
The mix of probiotics identified in the study could represent a new hypothetical psychobiotic, a substance that acts beneficially on the intestinal microbiota and, through the gut-brain axis, on the central nervous system. Although further clinical studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of these psychobiotics in humans, the preliminary results are promising and suggest that they may represent a new therapeutic strategy for mood disorders.
Interest in the use of probiotics in the treatment of mental disorders is constantly growing. Psychobiotics could offer a safe and natural alternative to traditional drugs, with fewer side effects and a more targeted action on the root causes of mental disorders.