The Role of Psychobiotics to Ensure Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Current State of Knowledge

Dorota Zielińska (), Marcelina Karbowiak and Aneta Brzezicka
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Dorota Zielińska: Department of Food Gastronomy and Food Hygiene, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159C Str., (Building No. 32), 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Marcelina Karbowiak: Department of Food Gastronomy and Food Hygiene, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159C Str., (Building No. 32), 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Aneta Brzezicka: Neurocognitive Research Center, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Chodakowska Str. 19/31, 03-815 Warsaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 17, 1-19

Abstract: Psychobiotics are defined as probiotics, mainly of the genus Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium , that confer mental health benefits to the host when consumed in a particular quantity through the interaction with commensal gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, which means a diverse and dynamic population of microorganisms harboring the gastrointestinal tract, communicates with the brain and vice versa through the brain–gut axis. The mechanisms of action of psychobiotics may be divided into four groups: synthesis of neurotransmitters and neurochemicals, regulation of the HPA axis, influence on the immune system, and synthesis of metabolites. Recent years showed that the COVID-19 pandemic affected not only physical, but also mental health. Social isolation, fear of infection, the lack of adequate vaccine, disinformation, increased number of deaths, financial loss, quarantine, and lockdown are all factors can cause psychiatric problems. The aim of this review was to discuss the potential role of psychobiotic in light of the current problems, based on in vitro and in vivo studies, meta-analyses, clinical trials evidence, and registered studies assessing probiotics’ therapeutic administration in the prevention or treatment of symptoms or side effects of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; mental health; probiotics; psychobiotics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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