Gut check: army tests if probiotics shield soldiers from stress
NCT ID NCT05392556
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether taking a probiotic or prebiotic supplement for four weeks could reduce the negative effects of acute stress on the gut and brain. Seventy-three healthy adults were randomly assigned to receive a probiotic, a prebiotic, or a placebo. They underwent physical and mental stress tests, including a weighted treadmill walk and a challenging decision-making task with mild electric shocks. Researchers measured changes in gut permeability, stress hormones, heart rate, and cognitive performance.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Probiotic (Cerebiome with Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus helveticus) and prebiotic (Bimuno-GOS)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward dietary supplements that help protect gut and brain function during stressful situations.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study in healthy adults, not patients. Results may not apply to real-world stress or lead to any practical treatment.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine
Natick, Massachusetts, 01760, United States
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