Benefits of Prebiotics & Probiotics for Stress, Anxiety & Sleep
Numerous research studies are focusing on imbalance in the gut microbiome, known as dysbiosis, as a key factor for stress, poor health, sleep disturbances and heightened anxiety. This imbalance is often a result of poor diet, antibiotics, acid inhibitors, prescription drugs, infections and stressful lifestyle habits.
The Rising Toll of Stress in 2025
This is important information considering stress remains at an all-time high for 2025. In the United States, a large percentage of adults feel the continuous high levels of stress are having a significant impact on their mental and physical health.
- Doctor’s visits increased 75–90% due to stress-related problems
- 73% said it impacted their mental health
Anxiety is common among older adults, affecting memory and cognitive abilities in as many as 10–20% of the older population, though it is often undiagnosed.
In a 2025 survey:
- 73% of Americans report feeling financially stressed
- 83% of Americans experience work-related stress
People with chronic work-related stress have higher risk of:
- 50% higher risk of cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
Dysbiosis, Inflammation & Brain Function
Gut dysbiosis is associated with decreased blood vessel lining integrity, which allows inflammatory molecules to enter the bloodstream. Chronic inflammation has been attributed to increased anxiety and altered brain functioning.
The Gut-Brain Connection via the Enteric Nervous System
The gut alone has a unique nervous system called the enteric nervous system (ENS) is a network of nerves lining your gut, which is directly and permanently connected to the brain by the nerves. The vagus nerve (the longest in the autonomic nervous system) directly connects the gut and the brain, providing a pathway for beneficial gut bacteria-produced substances to affect:
- Brain chemistry
- Stress hormones
- Potentially sleep patterns
Neurotransmitters from the Gut: Serotonin & GABA
Your gut produces a large proportion of the body’s serotonin, a crucial neurotransmitter that influences mood and sleep. Beneficial bacteria probiotics also produce the amino acid GABA (Gama-aminobutyric acid) and other metabolites that affect vagal nerve signaling from the gut to the brain. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces the intensity of anxiety and stress responses. Think of it as putting on the brake to an over-reactive nervous system to promote relaxation. Dysbiosis can affect the production of these and other neurotransmitters, potentially contributing to anxiety, sleep disturbances and other stress symptoms.
Prebiotics & the Stress Response
Prebiotics, which are types of dietary fiber that feed beneficial gut bacteria, which in turn affects the gut-brain axis and potentially the body’s stress response. Studies have shown that prebiotics can reduce the waking cortisol (stress hormone) response, a marker of the body’s stress response. Research has also suggested prebiotics can improve both non-REM sleep and REM sleep, through postbiotic metabolites produced when probiotics digest prebiotics.
What the Research Shows: Probiotics & Anxiety Relief
MDPI Study
Probiotics may serve as an important therapeutic tool in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
Participants who consumed probiotics experienced reduced stress, with significant improvement compared to those who took a placebo.
Psychopharmacology, December 3, 2014
Found that taking prebiotics:
- Reduces waking cortisol response
- Alters emotional bias in healthy subjects
Frontiers in Psychiatry, March 27, 2019
“Gut and brain communicate with each other via the gut-brain axis, a specific pathway that involves the neural, endocrine, and immune systems. The intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in this bidirectional communication, since it can influence mood and cognitive functions by producing neurotransmitter precursors that reach the brain through the endocrine and the autonomic nervous systems where they regulate the level of specific neurotransmitters.”
“A significant improvement in mood was observed in the experimental group, with a reduction in depressive mood, anger, and fatigue, and an improvement in sleep quality.”
“These findings corroborate the positive effect of probiotics on mood state and suggest that probiotics administration may improve psychological well-being by ameliorating aspects of mood and sleep quality.”
“Recent studies have demonstrated that probiotics ameliorate sleep in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, and in stressed medical students.”
Frontiers in Nutrition, July 26, 2023
“The results have shown that pro- and prebiotics can improve the function of the central nervous system and play an important role in the prevention and treatment of some brain disorders.”
“Prebiotics selectively promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, which can have positive effects on mood and stress response.”
“In fact, the breakdown of prebiotics not only produces therapeutic and health-promoting compounds, but also strengthens and nourishes colon-based probiotics as a food source.”
“Pro- and prebiotics have been indicated to modulate the gut-brain axis, which has supportive impacts on the central nervous system.”
Beneficial Microbes, January 31, 2024
Multi-strain probiotic supplementation:
- Resulted in better overall sleep quality
- Improved the subjective ability to fall asleep faster
- Reduced sleep disturbances
Why Gut Health Is Key to Whole-Body Health
Untreated stress, anxiety and sleep deprivation can lead to cognitive impairment, disability, poor physical health, and a poor quality of life.
The utilization of prebiotic and probiotic supplements and their positive effects on the intestinal microbiome and gut-brain axis has quickly become one of the most popular methods in healthcare for re-establishing the microbiome foundation to decrease stress, anxiety and improve sleep for individuals of all ages.
Why We Recommend Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics
At the Tree of Life Wellness Center, Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic formula has singularly excelled for balancing and creating a healthy microbiome compared to the many probiotics we have tried in our 45 years of practice. Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics (Essential Formulas Inc) is an Award winning, 100% natural, unique combination of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotic metabolites, not cultured or grown in a laboratory, as are most other probiotic products – but rather through a traditional Japanese fermentation process.
Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics features plant based natural Prebiotic nutrients which are encapsulated along with beneficial lactic acid bacteria and thirteen distinctive probiotic strains, including TH10, a proprietary strain which was discovered by award-winning microbiologist Dr. Iichiroh Ohhira after years of extensive research and development. A three-year fermentation process then guarantees that the strongest bacteria survive and results in essential Postbiotic nutrients beneficial for the entire body.
What Makes It Different?
- Award-winning, 100% natural
- Combines prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotic metabolites
- Not cultured or grown in a laboratory — instead, uses a traditional Japanese fermentation process
Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics features:
- Plant-based natural prebiotic nutrients
- 13 distinctive probiotic strains, including TH10
- 3-year fermentation process that ensures only the strongest bacteria survive
- A full spectrum of postbiotic nutrients beneficial for the entire body
Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic formula has stood the test of time, consistently helping our patients in their pursuit of good health.
For more information go to: https://essentialformulas.com
Healthy Aging Begins in the Gut
Healthy aging, quality of life, and longevity all begin in the digestive tract.
Fortunately, the microbiome can change for the better — and so can you!
With improved diet and lifestyle choices, you can begin to restore your microbiome and start toward a healthier you.
Need Help with Your Health Concerns?
In-office and telephone appointments are available at the Tree of Life Wellness Center Inc.
Call (508) 336-4242
Always check with your health practitioner when adding in new supplements.
JaJane Jansen – Holistic Practitioner / Host, Holistic Healthline Radio
Tree of Life Wellness Center
Foundational Medicine & Immune System Therapy
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- In-office or Telehealth appointments with Jane Jansen available in Seekonk, Massachusetts – Call 508-336-4242 to book.
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