Gut Bacteria’s Role in Anxiety and Depression: It’s Not Just In Your Head

Mounting evidence shows that gut bacteria affect mental health. Experts are now testing psychobiotics as depression, anxiety and other mental health remedies.

For decades, experts scoffed at the idea that gut bacteria affect our mental health. Many called it a fringe theory. Yet mounting evidence suggests that intestinal microbes profoundly shape our thinking and behavior. Human trials are now underway to investigate how these gut bacteria affect mental health and boost our overall well-being. If the results hold up, new bacteria-based therapies could expand a mental health treatment landscape that has been mostly stagnant for decades.