Psychobiotics: The Future of Mental Wellness and PS23
Psychobiotics, a new class of probiotics, are revolutionizing the way we think about mental wellness. The term “psychobiotics” (“psyche” = mind + “biotic” = probiotic) refers to a novel class of probiotics that affect mood and cognitive function. Psychobiotics balance your gut-brain axis (GBA) to promote stable moods, reduced stress and improved health.
What is the gut-brain connection (GBA)?
The gut-brain connection or the gut-brain axis (GBA) consists of bidirectional communication between the brain and body functions , linking emotional and cognitive centres of the brain with gut functions. The enteric nervous system (ENS), which is the nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract, is known as the “second brain”.
Unique to every individual, the gut (which is part of the ENS), has billions of microorganisms which are referred to as the gut microbiome (flora).
Previously, scientists thought that stress and depression contributed to gastrointestinal conditions like IBS. But recently indicates that it may also be the other way round. IBS, a chronic disorder of the gut, is associated with an inbalance of the microbiome of the gut. This imbalance in the gut can send messages and signals to the brain that trigger mood changes. These findings may explain why individuals with IBS and functional bowel problems (like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain)
Studies have shown that an imbalance in the gut microbiome can lead to a variety of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression (1).
What parts of the body get influenced by gut health?
The gut-brain axis influences most spheres of our functionality in some way. Major aspects influenced by gut health is:
- Sleep
- Cognitive function & Memory
- Immunity
- Digestive health
- Metabolism
How do I know if my gut-brain axis is imbalanced influencing my cognitive function?
Difficulty Sleeping
Research has suggested that an imbalanced microbiome can lead to unhealthy sleep patterns, like struggling to d
Food Intolerance & Leaky gut
Unbalanced gut bacteria can often show up as gluten intolerance or lactose intolerance due to difficulty digesting certain compounds.
Skin Conditions & Allergies
Skin conditions like psoriasis may be related to types of bacteria present in the gut. Lower concentrations of beneficial bacteria may impact the body’s immune system.
This, in turn, may lead to conditions that affect the organs, including the skin.
Mood swings
The gut bacteria generates at least 90% of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, which is responsible for regulating emotions. Changes in the gut microbiome can affect the production of and release of serotonin, leading to mood fluctuations.
What is the PS23 Strain of Psychobiotics?
Not all probiotics are created equal, meaning some probiotics do not have effects on mood or cognition. The strain you use is very important when taking a psychobiotic.
PS23 is a unique strain of probiotic bacteria that is clinically tested and specifically formulated to support the gut-brain connection. It contains a blend of probiotic strains that have been scientifically shown to promote a healthy gut microbiome and support overall mental wellness.
How Do PS23 Psychobiotics Work?
Psychobiotics work by regulating neurotransmitters and proteins, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, glutamate, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), These specially-formulated strains of bacteria have been shown to have a positive impact on our mental health and well-being. One such strain is PS23, a psychobiotic that is making waves in the health industry.
The PS23 psychobiotic strain works by promoting a healthy gut microbiome, which in turn supports the gut-brain connection.
PS23 strain psychobiotics may help alleviate stress through associations of the microbiota, anti-inflammation factors, and the gut-brain axis through restoring the integrity of gut-barrier, modulating the effects of neurotransmitters including GABA or the BDNF, and stimulating the vagal nervous system to exert anti-inflammatory effects for brain protection via the gut-brain axis. GABA, BDNF and serotonin play important roles in controlling the neural excitatory-inhibitory balance, mood, cognitive functions, learning and memory processes.
The probiotic strains in PS23 have been shown to produce neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which are known to play a role in mood regulation (2). Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the benefits of oral supplementation of PSD23 Psychobiotics.
Benefits of PS23 Psychobiotcs:
Improves Mood: PS23 has been shown to improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression (3)
Helps Stress Management: PS23 shows to support the body’s natural stress response, helping to reduce stress levels (4)
Improves digestion and gut function
Significantly reduces cortisol levels. (5)
Clinically proven to lower anxiety and increase serotonin (5)
Improves cognitive function and elevates levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, simply known as BDNF (explained in great detail here). This molecule helps your neurons grow and change, enabling you to learn and acquire memories.
References:
- Cryan, J.F., & Dinan, T.G. (2012). Mind-altering microorganisms: the impact of the gut microbiota on brain and behaviour. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13(10), 701–712.
- Bravo, J.A., Forsythe, P., Chew, M.V., Escaravage, E., Savignac, H.M., Dinan, T.G., Bienenstock, J., & Cryan, J.F. (2011). Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(38), 16050–16055.
- Bienenstock, J., & Wilcock, G. (2015). The gut-brain axis: a new target for intervention in depression. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, 40(2), 78–81.
- Kim, H.J., & Whon, T.W. (2017). Microbial metabolic potential for production of neurotransmitters in the human gut.
