‘Psychobiotics’ could be used to treat depression and available within five years

Probiotics that treat anxiety and depression will be available within five years, scientists in Cork are predicting.

Ted Dinan, a professor of psychiatry at University College Cork, said probiotics for the brain — psychobiotics — have the potential to reduce mild to moderate depression.

He said scientists defined a psychobiotic as a live organism, and that when ingested in adequate amounts, it produced a health benefit in patients suffering from psychiatric illness.