Jack Gilbert, PhD, a microbiome scientist and father of an Autistic child explores research on Neuralli MP's PS 128, a probiotic strain clinically studied for reducing anxiety in autistic children.
He explains how psychobiotics work through the gut-brain axis to potentially influence mental health and behavior. Dr. Gilbert emphasizes this research focuses on supporting well-being and emotional regulation, with clinical study evidence suggesting PS128 may help autistic children manage anxiety and stress-related behaviors.
Dr. Gilbert is Director of the Microbiome and Metagenomics Center at UC San Diego. Disclosure: Neuralli MP is a probiotic medical food for the dietary management of autism. Jack Gilbert is a research consultant of Bened Life, makers of Neuralli MP.
Introduction to Neuralli MP’s PS128 Research: Anxiety and Autism
Can a probiotic actually reduce anxiety in Autistic kids? I'm a microbiome scientist, but I'm also the dad of an Autistic child. So when I read about research that may help my kid out, I pay attention.
This is Neuralli MP. It contains PS128 - a probiotic strain that has been clinically studied to reduce anxiety-related behaviors in Autistic children.
Here’s the finding that got my attention: In one randomized control trial, 71 Autistic boys took either PS128 or a placebo. By the end of the trial, the kids in the PS128 group appeared calmer, less overwhelmed, and with better attention than when they started the trial.
Can a probiotic actually reduce anxiety in Autistic kids?
Ok, so your first question may be, I mean really, can a probiotic actually reduce anxiety in autism? The answer may be yes due to a special type of probiotic known as a psychobiotic: a probiotic clinically shown to exert a mental health benefit (when taken in adequate amounts).
Studies have shown that certain psychobiotics, including Neuralli MP’s PS128, may help Autistic persons manage mental health issues like anxiety. Scientists have discovered that these special probiotics influence the brain via an incredible and elegant system known as the gut-brain axis.
The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication highway between the gut and the central nervous system. Essentially, it lets your gut “talk” with your brain, and vice versa.
The gut-brain axis is the route by which probiotics you take by mouth can affect the brain and influence mental health.
Research, has demonstrated that the microbiome plays a pivotal role in regulating both brain function and behavior via the gut-brain axis. This influence may explain why certain probiotics like Neuralli MP’s PS128 have been shown in studies to improve mental health symptoms, especially anxiety-related mood and behaviors.
Psychobiotic effects of PS128 in autism
Clinical studies suggest that PS128 promotes psychological well-being in Autistic children, including reducing anxiety or behaviors associated with anxiety or sensory overload. Let’s take a closer look at these studies.
Two Studies: Effects of L. plantarum PS128 on children with autism
Study 1
In the first study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (that's the gold standard in clinical research) 71 Autistic children aged between 7-15 were given PS128 alongside their usual therapies.
Before the probiotic was given, the researchers evaluated social skills and behaviors using scoring measures relevant to autism in both groups. The children and adolescents then took either PS128 or a placebo over four weeks. Next, the researchers evaluated both groups using the same scoring measures and compared the results.
After four weeks, researchers observed some changes in the children taking PS128, including an improvement in problems related to body and object use and improved attention and hyperactivity.
But, what really got my attention was when the researchers recorded decreased anxiety and rule-breaking behaviors in [a subgroup of] the children.
The reduction in anxiety and rule-breaking behaviors are especially relevant because, in the words of the study authors, they “may reflect a broad class of behavioral problems commonly identified in children with autism which are often 'silent' and not manifested externally, leading to potential problems with attention, defiance and self-inflicted harm.”
The anxiety improvements for these 7-12 year olds were suggestive of a benefit: the kids taking PS128 improved from week 0 to week 4. Their improvement was not statistically significant when compared to the placebo group in this small study. However, another group of researchers successfully followed up on this finding in a second study.
Study 2
In a second later gold standard clinical trial, 86 autistic children aged between 2.5–7 years were assigned randomly to either the probiotic or placebo group to explore the effects of PS128. During the first two months of the study, the children received either the probiotic or placebo. After that, all of the children received PS128 for two more months.
Anxiousness and depressive mental health symptoms were significantly improved in the psychobiotic PS128 group in the first 2-months intervention period as compared to placebo.
In other words, the Autistic kids were less anxious and less moody after taking PS128 for two months.
Closing Thoughts
So, can a probiotic really help reduce anxiety in Autistic children? Based on current evidence, the answer appears to be possibly, yes.
But, let’s be clear. This is not about curing or “fixing” autism. Instead, the focus is on supporting well-being, especially when it comes to anxiety, stress, and emotional regulation.
As shown in two clinical studies, Autistic children who took PS128 showed improvements in anxiety-related behaviors over time - including mood, attention, and hyperactivity. These changes suggest an improvement in mental health—not a change in who the child is.
