Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Sleep Quality, and Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Randomized Controlled Trial
<b>Background:</b> More than merely determining our sleep pattern, our body’s internal clock also improves the quality of our sleep, alleviates the symptoms of depression, and maintains the balance of our gut flora. <b>Methods:</b> We carried out a 12-week randomized controll...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | S Rehan Ahmad Abdullah M. AlShahrani Anupriya Kumari |
| author_facet | S Rehan Ahmad Abdullah M. AlShahrani Anupriya Kumari |
| author_sort | S Rehan Ahmad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background:</b> More than merely determining our sleep pattern, our body’s internal clock also improves the quality of our sleep, alleviates the symptoms of depression, and maintains the balance of our gut flora. <b>Methods:</b> We carried out a 12-week randomized controlled trial with 99 adults from Kolkata, New Delhi, and Pune who reported sleep problems and symptoms of depression or anxiety. Participants received either a probiotic formulated to improve sleep quality and reduce depressive symptoms or a placebo. We tracked sleep using overnight studies and wearable devices, assessed depressive symptoms with standardized questionnaires, and analyzed stool samples to profile gut bacteria and their metabolites using gene sequencing and metabolomics. Advanced statistics and machine learning helped us pinpoint the key microbial and metabolic factors tied to sleep and mental health. <b>Results:</b> At the start, participants with disrupted sleep and depressive symptoms had fewer beneficial gut bacteria like <i>Bifidobacterium</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i>, more inflammation-related microbes, and lower levels of helpful short-chain fatty acids. These imbalances were linked to poorer sleep efficiency, less REM sleep, and higher depression and anxiety scores. After 12 weeks, those taking the circadian-supporting probiotic saw a statistically significant increase in beneficial gut bacteria, improved sleep efficiency (+7.4%, <i>p</i> = 0.02), and greater reductions in depression and anxiety compared to the placebo. Increases in SCFA-producing bacteria most strongly predicted improvements. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our results show that taking a probiotic supplement can help bring your gut back into balance, support better sleep, and lift symptoms of depression and anxiety. This offers a hopeful and practical option for people looking for real relief from these deeply connected challenges. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ed58222eb6f240189f7f8a9bfa3c1ee0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-ed58222eb6f240189f7f8a9bfa3c1ee02025-08-20T03:32:12ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-07-0115776110.3390/brainsci15070761Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Sleep Quality, and Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Randomized Controlled TrialS Rehan Ahmad0Abdullah M. AlShahrani1Anupriya Kumari2Hiralal Mazumdar Memorial College for Women, West Bengal State University, Kolkata 700035, West Bengal, IndiaDepartment of Basic Medical Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Khamis Mushait Campus, King Khalid University (KKU), Abha 62561, Saudi ArabiaSchool of Education, Adamas University, Kolkata 700126, West Bengal, India<b>Background:</b> More than merely determining our sleep pattern, our body’s internal clock also improves the quality of our sleep, alleviates the symptoms of depression, and maintains the balance of our gut flora. <b>Methods:</b> We carried out a 12-week randomized controlled trial with 99 adults from Kolkata, New Delhi, and Pune who reported sleep problems and symptoms of depression or anxiety. Participants received either a probiotic formulated to improve sleep quality and reduce depressive symptoms or a placebo. We tracked sleep using overnight studies and wearable devices, assessed depressive symptoms with standardized questionnaires, and analyzed stool samples to profile gut bacteria and their metabolites using gene sequencing and metabolomics. Advanced statistics and machine learning helped us pinpoint the key microbial and metabolic factors tied to sleep and mental health. <b>Results:</b> At the start, participants with disrupted sleep and depressive symptoms had fewer beneficial gut bacteria like <i>Bifidobacterium</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i>, more inflammation-related microbes, and lower levels of helpful short-chain fatty acids. These imbalances were linked to poorer sleep efficiency, less REM sleep, and higher depression and anxiety scores. After 12 weeks, those taking the circadian-supporting probiotic saw a statistically significant increase in beneficial gut bacteria, improved sleep efficiency (+7.4%, <i>p</i> = 0.02), and greater reductions in depression and anxiety compared to the placebo. Increases in SCFA-producing bacteria most strongly predicted improvements. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our results show that taking a probiotic supplement can help bring your gut back into balance, support better sleep, and lift symptoms of depression and anxiety. This offers a hopeful and practical option for people looking for real relief from these deeply connected challenges.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/7/761circadian rhythmsgut–sleep–brain axismental healthmicrobiomesleepprobiotics |
| spellingShingle | S Rehan Ahmad Abdullah M. AlShahrani Anupriya Kumari Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Sleep Quality, and Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Randomized Controlled Trial Brain Sciences circadian rhythms gut–sleep–brain axis mental health microbiome sleep probiotics |
| title | Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Sleep Quality, and Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_full | Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Sleep Quality, and Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Sleep Quality, and Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Sleep Quality, and Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_short | Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Sleep Quality, and Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_sort | effects of probiotic supplementation on depressive symptoms sleep quality and modulation of gut microbiota and inflammatory biomarkers a randomized controlled trial |
| topic | circadian rhythms gut–sleep–brain axis mental health microbiome sleep probiotics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/7/761 |
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