Probiotics reduce negative mood over time: the value of daily self-reports in detecting effects
Abstract The burgeoning field of the microbiome–gut–brain axis has inspired research into how the gut microbiome can affect human emotion. Probiotics offer ways to investigate microbial-based interventions but results have been mixed, with more evidence of beneficial effects in clinically depressed...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | npj Mental Health Research |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44184-025-00123-z |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850145604570710016 |
|---|---|
| author | Katerina V.-A. Johnson Laura Steenbergen |
| author_facet | Katerina V.-A. Johnson Laura Steenbergen |
| author_sort | Katerina V.-A. Johnson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The burgeoning field of the microbiome–gut–brain axis has inspired research into how the gut microbiome can affect human emotion. Probiotics offer ways to investigate microbial-based interventions but results have been mixed, with more evidence of beneficial effects in clinically depressed patients. Using a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled design in 88 healthy volunteers, we conduct a comprehensive study into effects of a multispecies probiotic on emotion regulation and mood through questionnaires, emotional processing tests and daily reports. We find clear evidence that probiotics reduce negative mood, starting after two weeks, based on daily monitoring, but few other changes. Our findings reconcile inconsistencies of previous studies, revealing that commonly used pre- versus post-intervention assessments cannot reliably detect probiotic-induced changes in healthy subjects’ emotional state. We conclude that probiotics can benefit mental health in the general population and identify traits of individuals who derive greatest benefit, allowing future targeting of at-risk individuals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9f1301f0e60648aaa07c0e15fc5910b9 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2731-4251 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Mental Health Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-9f1301f0e60648aaa07c0e15fc5910b92025-08-20T02:28:04ZengNature Portfolionpj Mental Health Research2731-42512025-04-01411910.1038/s44184-025-00123-zProbiotics reduce negative mood over time: the value of daily self-reports in detecting effectsKaterina V.-A. Johnson0Laura Steenbergen1Clinical Psychology Unit, Leiden University, Institute of PsychologyClinical Psychology Unit, Leiden University, Institute of PsychologyAbstract The burgeoning field of the microbiome–gut–brain axis has inspired research into how the gut microbiome can affect human emotion. Probiotics offer ways to investigate microbial-based interventions but results have been mixed, with more evidence of beneficial effects in clinically depressed patients. Using a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled design in 88 healthy volunteers, we conduct a comprehensive study into effects of a multispecies probiotic on emotion regulation and mood through questionnaires, emotional processing tests and daily reports. We find clear evidence that probiotics reduce negative mood, starting after two weeks, based on daily monitoring, but few other changes. Our findings reconcile inconsistencies of previous studies, revealing that commonly used pre- versus post-intervention assessments cannot reliably detect probiotic-induced changes in healthy subjects’ emotional state. We conclude that probiotics can benefit mental health in the general population and identify traits of individuals who derive greatest benefit, allowing future targeting of at-risk individuals.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44184-025-00123-z |
| spellingShingle | Katerina V.-A. Johnson Laura Steenbergen Probiotics reduce negative mood over time: the value of daily self-reports in detecting effects npj Mental Health Research |
| title | Probiotics reduce negative mood over time: the value of daily self-reports in detecting effects |
| title_full | Probiotics reduce negative mood over time: the value of daily self-reports in detecting effects |
| title_fullStr | Probiotics reduce negative mood over time: the value of daily self-reports in detecting effects |
| title_full_unstemmed | Probiotics reduce negative mood over time: the value of daily self-reports in detecting effects |
| title_short | Probiotics reduce negative mood over time: the value of daily self-reports in detecting effects |
| title_sort | probiotics reduce negative mood over time the value of daily self reports in detecting effects |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44184-025-00123-z |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT katerinavajohnson probioticsreducenegativemoodovertimethevalueofdailyselfreportsindetectingeffects AT laurasteenbergen probioticsreducenegativemoodovertimethevalueofdailyselfreportsindetectingeffects |