Probiotics and Antidepressants: 7 Things You Need to Know When Taking Both

Probiotics may relieve side effects of some antidepressants. Research also indicates the gut is linked to brain activity, and that probiotics could even act as natural antidepressants.

Consulting a doctor about taking probiotics with antidepressants would help, based on each person’s individual condition. Probiotics, known as the friendly bacteria, can be taken in supplements or found in foods, such as yogurt, sauerkraut and kefir.

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Here are seven things you should know about probiotics and antidepressants:

1. Side effects from antidepressants include headaches, joint and muscle pain, nausea and diarrhea, according to Everyday Health. Side effects from antidepressants often come from select serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, prescribed for depression. Serotonin is involved in mood changes.

The negative symptoms are often mild and temporary, but side effects are considered bothersome for up to 25 percent of people taking antidepressants.

2. The brain and the gut produce serotonin. Dr. Joseph Mercola maintains that a higher concentration of serotonin is in the gut. An improved diet is often more effective than antidepressants at treating depression, Mercola says.

3. Mercola reports on research that found certain probiotics improved symptoms of anxiety in lab mice and in a study that revealed the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus lowered levels of stress-induced corticosterone, improving conditions of anxiety and depression.

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4. There is evidence that probiotics help prevent diarrhea and improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome when it is caused by antibiotics or infections, but more studies are needed, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

5. Healthy bacteria from probiotics not only help the digestive tract, but they are also involved in drug metabolism, Body Ecology points out, which may boost the efficacy of antidepressants thus relieving symptoms of depression.

6. Research suggests a link between intestinal microflora and mental health, according to Livestrong.com. A 2009 study revealed that probiotics helped relieve anxiety and emotional distress. During a two-month period, the probiotic supplementation improved the presence of the friendly bacteria in the gut.

7. Taking probiotic supplements or including probiotic-rich foods in the diet helps the physical and emotional health of people taking antidepressants, Body Ecology notes. The gut plays a role in brain function. When the intestinal area becomes inflamed, proteins called cytokines are activated, leading to depression and lethargy.

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