Indole-producing gut microbes could ease anxiety, study suggests

A Duke-NUS/National Neuroscience Institute study links gut microbes to anxiety relief via indole metabolites that modulate SK2 calcium-dependent channels in the basolateral amygdala. In germ-free mice, anxiety-like behavior and brain activity were heightened, but restoring microbes or administering indoles reduced these signals, suggesting a gut-brain pathway for anxiety regulation. While promising for future probiotic or indole-based therapies, human clinical trials are still needed to assess safety and effectiveness.