Psychobiotics And their influences in the tratment of depression and anxiety

Abstract

term "psychobiotics". The use of psychobiotics in the treatment of depression and anxiety has gained great visibility. Therefore, this study aims to describe the state-of-the-art on the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and mental health in humans, focusing on the influences of psychobiotics in the treatment of depression and anxiety. For drafting such a study, the methodology of descriptive review of the scientific literature was used. With the growing incidence of mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression, the increase in studies on treatment of these illnesses has been also intensified. The intestine is directly connected to the nervous system through the gut-brain axis, so the gut microbiota plays a key role in mood disorders. Thus, the benefits that probiotics brings goes beyond the prevention and treatment of intestinal or immune system disorders. Probiotics have been shown to positively influence mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Through the survey of new articles on the subject, it was possible to conclude that psychobiotics have been shown to be a good alternative or aid in the conventional treatment of depression and anxiety, also contributing to brain health in general. However more complex clinical research is still needed to fully unravel all the benefits and processes behind it.