Author(s) :

Silvana A. Sabrina Leddy.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

The gut-brain axis comprises several components and mechanisms that affect mental health, including the vagus nerve, gut microbiome, neurotransmitters, and the stress response. The gut microbiome, a complex community of bacteria, plays a crucial role in regulating the brain’s emotional state and behavior. Recent research emphasizes the profound influence of the gut-brain axis on mental health. Furthermore, therapeutic interventions, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and phage therapy, offer promising alternatives for influencing gut health, therefore influencing mental health. This literature review explores those pathways and the effects of probiotics, synbiotics, diet, and phage therapy, highlighting the role that gut-brain axis manipulation can have on mental health. Research has shown that the gut microbiome heavily influences the gut-brain axis and can influence anxiety, depression, and post-partum depression in mothers. Consuming prebiotics and probiotics could help reduce the effects and symptoms of anxiety and depression. While prebiotics and probiotics play a key role in supporting microbiomes, emerging alternatives, such as phage therapy and a balanced diet, offer promising opportunities for improving mental health. Future research will continue to explore additional strategies for developing more personalized treatments.