Key Takeaways: How Psychobiotics Influence the Gut-Brain Axis
1. The Gut-Brain Connection:
The human body is a vast ecosystem where 40 trillion microbial cells communicate with the brain via a two-way pathway known as the gut-brain axis.
2. What are Psychobiotics?
Psychobiotics are a specialized class of probiotics, such as L.plantarum PS128, that provide mental health benefits by modulating biological signaling between the gut and the nervous system.
3. Neurotransmitter Support
Certain gut bacteria are responsible for producing metabolites related to serotonin, GABA, and dopamine, which are essential for mood regulation, focus, and movement.
4. Clinical Significance of PS128
Unlike standard probiotics, PS128 has been extensively researched for its role in supporting neurological balance, particularly in children with neurodevelopmental differences and adults with movement-related challenges.
5. Long-Term Neurological Health
Shifting from "short-term fixes" to consistent microbiome care helps maintain a low-inflammatory environment, supporting healthy brain aging and emotional wellbeing across the lifespan.
6. Expert Consensus
Leading scientists, including Dr. Jack Gilbert (UCSD) and Professor Tsai Ying-chieh, emphasize that microbiome science is the new frontier in preventive health and nutritional neurology.
Did you know that only about half of the cells in the human body are human? Roughly 30 trillion human cells coexist with around 40 trillion microbial cells, most of which live in the gut. This means the microbiome isn’t just a passenger - it’s an essential part of who we are.
When we eat, we’re not only nourishing ourselves. We’re also feeding a vast internal ecosystem of microbes that help maintain balance and support key biological signaling throughout the body.
Understanding this shared biology is why microbiome science has become central to modern health research.
When East meets West: An In-depth discussion featured in CommonWealth Magazine (天下雜誌)
Recently, Dr. Jack Gilbert, a leading authority in microbiome science, and Professor Tsai Ying-chieh, widely regarded as the Father of Asian Probiotics, shared expert perspectives on our “inner world” featured on the CommonWealth Magazine (天下雜誌).
Their discussion focused on how microbiome science is reshaping our understanding of nutrition, neurological balance, and the future of preventive health.
Play to watch the full video of their discussion:
Meet the Experts: Global Authorities in Microbiome Science
Dr. Jack Gilbert is a leading global authority in microbial ecology and a key research consultant for Bened Life. His work is instrumental in bridging the gap between environmental microbiology and human health.
- Academic Leadership: Professor of Pediatrics at the UC San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine and Associate Vice Chancellor for Marine Science at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
- Research Pioneer: Director of the Microbiome and Metagenomics Center and founder of the Gilbert Lab, focusing on medical biotechnology.
- Global Impact: Co-founder of the American Gut Project (White House initiative) and the Earth Microbiome Project (EMP).
- Scientific Recognition: Named one of the "50 Most Influential Scientists" and serves as the founding Editor-in-Chief of the top-tier journal mSystems (American Society for Microbiology).
- Author: Co-author of the acclaimed book, Dirt is Good.
Professor Tsai Ying-chieh is a pioneer in the study of lactic acid bacteria and the leading figure behind the development of neurological probiotics in Asia.
- Pioneering Research: Professor at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) and founder of one of the world's top three psychobiotic research centers.
- Global Collaborations: Leader of multinational scientific teams, publishing clinical research alongside prestigious institutions such as Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital.
- Industry Leadership: Co-founder of the Asian Federation of Societies for Lactic Acid Bacteria (AFSLAB) and a Visiting Professor at the University of Tokyo.
- Psychobiotic Specialist: Chief Research Consultant for the PS128 strain and the visionary behind the "Gerobiotic" (anti-aging probiotic) framework.
- Best-selling Author: Author of the definitive series Probiotics 2.0 (益生菌 2.0 大未來) and Live a Long Life (腸命百歲).
👉 Read Next
Expert Q&A: Dr. Jack Gilbert and Prof. Tsai Ying-Chieh Answer Your Top Questions on the Microbiome, Diet, and Probiotic Myths
