The effect of probiotics or good bacteria is conveyed to the brain through the gut brain axis
Probiotics may be good for more than just your gut health. They may also help treat bipolar disorder and other psychiatric mood disorders, because of the intimate relationship between gut health and brain health. There is in fact a connection called the “gut-brain axis” (GBA), allows for crosstalk between the endocrine, immune, and autonomic nervous systems.
Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric condition characterised by dramatic shifts in mood from depression to mania. Currently, the standard treatment includes a combination of psychotherapy and prescription medications such as mood stabilisers and antipsychotics.
However, an emerging field of research is exploring the use of probiotics — often thought of as “good bacteria” — as a potential new avenue for treatment of bipolar and other psychiatric mood disorders.
There is also mounting evidence linking imbalances in the microbial species that make up the gut microbiome to a number of health problems including allergies, autoimmune disorders, and psychiatric mood disorders
A study from Sheppard Pratt Health System in the US found that a probiotic supplement may reduce inflammation of the gut, which is known to exacerbate bipolar disorder.
Probiotic organisms are non-pathogenic bacteria that, when present in the gut flora, are known to improve the overall health of the host.
The GI tract is also home to the intestinal microbiome, a complex population of roughly 100 trillion microorganisms (more than ten times the number of cells that make up the human body) that interacts with the mucosal lining of the GI tract. Studies have shown that the intimate association between the gut microbiome and GI tissue has a significant effect on the GBA.
There is also mounting evidence linking imbalances in the microbial species that make up the gut microbiome to a number of health problems including allergies, autoimmune disorders, and psychiatric mood disorders.
In the case of bipolar disorder and the GBA, previous studies have shown that inflammation, or overstimulation of the body’s immune system, is a contributing factor in the disease. With this in mind, researchers developed a probiotic supplement aimed at reducing inflammation caused by microbial imbalances in the gut.
