{"id":5578,"date":"2016-12-05T07:00:10","date_gmt":"2016-12-05T15:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=5578"},"modified":"2016-12-02T11:35:22","modified_gmt":"2016-12-02T19:35:22","slug":"psychotropic-anxiety-better-belly-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/psychotropic-anxiety-better-belly-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Psychobiotics: a novel class of psychotropic for anxiety (Better Belly Project)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"psychobiotics\"<\/p>\n

Are you familiar with the term psychobiotics and the role they play in anxiety and depression? In 2013 Dr. Ted Dinan and Dr. John Cryan published a paper titled Psychobiotics: a novel class of psychotropic<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0and in this paper they define a psychobiotic as:<\/p>\n

\n

a live organism that, when ingested in adequate amounts, produces a health benefit in patients suffering from psychiatric illness.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

They go on to share how these good bacteria or probiotics can impact our mood and anxiety via neurotransmitter production, sharing that they are:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

capable of producing and delivering neuroactive substances such as gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA] and serotonin, which act on the brain-gut axis. Preclinical evaluation in rodents suggests that certain psychobiotics possess antidepressant or anxiolytic activity.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

We often incorrectly hear that GABA taken orally is not effective because it can\u2019t cross the blood brain barrier and if it does work it means you have a leaky brain. This is a myth I am working hard to dispel. The authors contribute to this discussion saying the following:<\/p>\n

\n

Effects may be mediated [or effects may occur] via the vagus nerve, spinal cord, or neuroendocrine systems.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The authors conclude with information about how these psychobiotics benefit IBS which we now know is often associated with both anxiety and depression. They share that these psychobiotics or good bacteria:<\/p>\n

\n

have been most extensively studied in a liaison psychiatric setting in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, where positive benefits have been reported for a number of organisms including Bifidobacterium infantis.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

They also report benefits for alleviating symptoms of depression and chronic fatigue syndrome, likely related to:<\/p>\n

\n

the anti-inflammatory actions of certain psychobiotics and a capacity to reduce hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The impact these psychobiotics have on inflammation and the adrenals is wonderful since we know about both are closely tied to anxiety and depression, as well as digestive health.<\/p>\n

This is older research but Dr. Ted Dinan and his colleagues continue to expand the research and our knowledge on this exciting topic, and we appreciate them for this.<\/p>\n

The above is just one topic I cover in my interview on the upcoming online summit: The Better Belly Project: Crushing the Critters, Plugging the Leaks, and Balancing the Biome for Your Best Body Ever<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> hosted by fermentationist, Summer Bock!<\/p>\n

We also cover the following in my interview:<\/p>\n