Probiotic Intervention in Managing Chronic Stress

Authors

Bianca Opdenbosch, University of North FloridaFollow

Faculty Mentor

Judith D. Ochrietor, PhD

Faculty Mentor Department

Biology

Abstract

Chronic stress can induce gut dysbiosis which contributes to the dysregulation of the gut-brain axis and leads to anxiety and depressive-like symptoms. The gut-brain axis relies on nervous, immune, and endocrine interactions. Gut dysbiosis, an imbalance within the gut microbiome, disrupts gut-brain communication, impairing gut barrier integrity, inflammation regulation, and hormonal and neurotransmitter production. These gut changes contribute to mood disorders resulting from stress, and thus it is important to implement dietary interventions, like probiotics, to help mitigate these effects. Research highlights the potential of probiotics to act as an intervention to combat stress-induced gut dysbiosis and replenish beneficial bacteria that support gastrointestinal (GI) function. Probiotics have been shown to restore the gut microbiome, decrease the release of pro-inflammatory factors, increase the release of neuroactive compounds (i.e., serotonin, dopamine), and regulate immunity, all of which contribute to maintaining gut barrier integrity. By preserving the health of the gut through probiotics, physiological response to stress is mitigated as perturbations in the gut-brain axis are reduced, thus improving anxiety and depressive-like symptoms induced by chronic stress.

Recommended Citation

Opdenbosch, Bianca (2025) "Probiotic Intervention in Managing Chronic Stress," PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas: Vol. 6: No. 1, Article 7.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/pandion_unf/vol6/iss1/7