Psychobiotics and Mental Health in 2024 Among Romanian Consumers: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are prevalent, most notably among vulnerable populations. Psychobiotics are live microorganisms that, when ingested in adequate amounts, may confer mental health benefits via the gut-brain axis. They represent a promising but poorly understood intervention. This study aimed to assess consumer knowledge about psychobiotics and explore the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as the influence of socio-demographic factors on mental health awareness.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 427 participants, including Romanian residents (87.1%) and Romanians living abroad (12.9%). The questionnaire gathered information on psychobiotic awareness, mental health knowledge, and self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression over the past 6 months. Statistical analyses were performed to identify associations between socio-demographic factors (age, gender, education, and geographic location) and mental health outcomes.

Although 60% of the respondents were familiar with probiotics, only 18.4% reported being very familiar with psychobiotics. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001), reflecting a clear disparity in public knowledge between these two terms. Occasional depressive symptoms (26.8%) were more frequently reported than occasional anxiety (23.2%), yet anxiety was more common than depression when experienced regularly (13.8% vs. 10.3%). Notably, 64.2% of respondents stated that reliable information about psychobiotics is lacking in Romania.

These findings show limited public awareness of psychobiotics, despite the growing interest in gut and brain health. Targeted public health and educational initiatives are necessary to close this knowledge gap and promote psychobiotics as a potential tool for enhancing mental health. Integrating information about psychobiotics into broader preventive health strategies could improve mental health literacy, foster informed choices, and support early interventions for anxiety and depression.