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.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine
Natick, Massachusetts, 01760, United States