Probiotics Can Lift You Out of Depression – Not Just Aid Your Digestion

If a doctor ever suggested you take probiotics, it was likely related to intestinal issues or in an attempt to prevent such problems. However, probiotics, it turns out, have capabilities beyond regulating bowel function. A new study from McMaster University in Canada found that regular intake of probiotics aids in recovery from depression.

The study initially focused on tracking the effects of probiotics on adults with irritable bowel syndrome. One group with the syndrome received probiotics daily, while the other group received a placebo. But in addition to the improvement in IBS symptoms, individuals who also suffered from depression reported a twofold improvement in their mood compared to those who received the placebo.

Researchers have long known that the gut acts as the "second brain" of humans and that there is direct communication between the bacteria in the gut and the brain. This study, the Canadian researchers say, is further proof of this communication, providing a new way to reach the brain through the stomach.

"The study shows that consumption of probiotics can improve both abdominal symptoms and psychological issues. This finding opens new possibilities not just for patients with bowel disorders but also for patients with primary psychiatric illnesses," the researchers write.

Irritable bowel syndrome is the most common intestinal disorder worldwide. It affects the colon, and sufferers experience frequent pain, constipation or diarrhea, and a variety of other physical symptoms. The syndrome is often accompanied by anxiety or depression.

The improvement in depression among the patients, by the way, was not only proven through their self-reports. MRI scans of their brains indeed showed changes in the parts responsible for mood following the intake of probiotics.