Connecting Gut and Mind: Clinical Evidence of BC99 in Anxiety and Depression (NCT06629441)

The Gut–Brain Axis as a Target for Psychobiotics

Have you ever wondered why feeling “off” in your stomach can affect your mood? Anxiety and depression are increasingly common worldwide, particularly among adolescents and young adults. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 332 million people live with depression and 359 million with anxiety, with the highest prevalence observed in individuals aged 15 to 29 years. These conditions can affect sleep, metabolism, and even cardiovascular health. Emerging research suggests that a healthy gut—supported by beneficial probiotics—may help promote better emotional well-being.

Although conventional pharmacological and psychological interventions are widely applied, their efficacy and accessibility remain limited, and pharmacotherapy is often accompanied by side effects such as sedation, weight gain, and dependence. This underscores the need for alternative strategies. In recent years, increasing evidence has highlighted the role of the gut–brain axis in shaping emotional and cognitive functions, with psychobiotics emerging as a promising adjunctive approach. Among them, strains belonging to the Bacillus genus have attracted particular attention due to their resilience to gastric acid and bile salts, stability, and potential neuromodulatory properties. Against this backdrop, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess Weizmannia (Bacillus) coagulans BC99’s impact on Anxiety and Depression.

The Clinical Trial (NCT06629441): Design and Approach

• Participants: 82 adults with HAMD-17 score≥8 or HAMA-14 score≥7.

• Study duration: 8 weeks.

• Intervention: Daily intake of BC99 (5B CFU/sachet) versus maltodextrin placebo.

• Key measures: HAMA/HAMD scales; blood analysis (cytokines, neurotransmitters, biochemical markers); gut microbiota profiling from stool samples.

Key Findings

• Efficacy in Core Symptom Domains: The BC99 group showed a notable decrease in anxiety (HAMA) reduced by 12.5 points and depression (HAMD) reduced by 9.7 points after 8 weeks.

• Favorable Gut Microbiota Changes: BC99 intervention increased beneficial bacteria (e.g., Faecalibacterium, Agathobacter) and boosted short-chain fatty acid production, promoting gut health.

• Positive Shifts in Neuro-Immune Axes: BC99 elevated γ-GABA and IL-10 while reducing Nitric Oxide and Cystatin C, indicating enhanced anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activity.

• Improved Sleep Quality and Self-Efficacy: BC99 improved sleep quality by 9.2 points on the PSQI, along with better mood, daily activities, and self-perception, which increased by 4.6 points on the GSES compared to placebo.

Overall, these findings suggest that BC99 can be used as a psychobiotic to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. The full study has been submitted for peer-reviewed publication, and detailed results will be made available upon publication. 

Expanding the Horizons of Psychobiotics

BC99 has demonstrated clinically proven benefits in supporting emotional well-being through the gut–brain axis, effectively helping to reduce anxiety and depression. Building on this foundation, it has also shown outstanding potential in sports nutrition. In 2025, BC99 was honored with the Best Sports Nutrition Ingredient Award at both NutraIngredients Asia and NutraIngredients Europe, recognizing its comprehensive benefits for both mind and body. With its scientifically validated effects across emotional balance and physical performance, BC99 is redefining the future of holistic wellness.

Our mission drives us forward: Quality Probiotics, Quality Life.
Learn more:【 http://www.wecare-life.com 】
Contact Us: 【 sales@wecare-life.com 】