Pilot Study to Assess the Effect of a Probiotic Blend on Moderate Self-reported Anxiety.

A Randomized, Double-blinded, Placebo-controlled, Parallel Pilot Study, to Assess the Effect of a Probiotic Blend on Symptoms of Anxiety in Healthy Adults with Self-reported Mild to Moderate Anxiety

This study evaluates the efficacy of a multistrain probiotic administered in the form of a capsule in the management of moderate self-reported anxiety in adults aged 18-65

Part 1 Inclusion Criteria:

1. Be able to give written informed consent.
2. Be between 18 to 65 years inclusive.
3. Mild to moderate self-reported anxiety, defined as a Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) score ≥8 and ≤25.
4. Have a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score <25.
5. Is in general good health, as determined by the investigator.
6. Be willing to maintain stable dietary habits and physical activity levels throughout the study period.
7. Be able to communicate well with the Investigator, to understand and comply with the requirements of the study and be judged suitable for the study in the opinion of the Investigator.
8. Willing to consume the study product daily for the duration of the trial and comply with all trial procedures.

Part 2 Inclusion Criteria (see separate trial):

1. Be able to give confirmation of ongoing informed consent
2. Has been allocated to the placebo arm of Part I of the trial
3. Has been deemed a "non-responder"

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Are less than 18 or greater than 65.
2. Participants who are pregnant or wish to become pregnant during the trial.
3. Participants who are lactating and/or currently breastfeeding
4. Participants currently of childbearing potential, but not using an effective method of contraception, as outlined below:
5. Complete abstinence from intercourse two weeks prior to administration of the study product, throughout the clinical trial, until the completion of follow-up procedures or for two weeks following discontinuation of the study product in cases where Participant discontinues the trial prematurely. (Participants utilising this method must agree to use an alternate method of contraception if they should become sexually active and will be queried on whether they have been abstinent in the preceding 2 weeks when they present to the clinic for the Final Visit).
6. Has a male sexual partner who is surgically sterilised prior to the Screening Visit and is the only male sexual partner for that Participant.
7. Sexual partner(s) is/are exclusively female.
8. Use of acceptable method of contraception, such as a spermicide, mechanical barrier (e.g. male condom, female diaphragm), tubal ligation or contraceptive pill. The Participant must be using this method for at least 1 week prior to and 1 week following the end of the trial.
9. Use of any intrauterine device (IUD) or contraceptive implant. The Participant must have the device inserted at least 2 weeks prior to the first Screening Visit, throughout the trial, and 2 weeks following the end of the trial.
10. Are hypersensitive to any of the components of the study product.
11. Has taken systemic antibiotics within the previous 8 weeks.
12. Has taken probiotics or post-biotics within the previous 8 weeks.
13. Has a current clinical diagnosis of depression - determined in their medical history.
14. Has self-reported or suspected consumption of excess quantities of alcohol or recreational drugs
15. Diagnosed with significant physical comorbidity that, in the investigator's judgment, precludes involvement in the study.
16. Has an acute or chronic illness (e.g., heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, HIV) that, in the Investigators judgment, precludes involvement in the study.
17. Participants who have received cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or psychotherapy in the 8 weeks prior to baseline or plan to start during the period of the study.
18. Participants who have taken anti-depressants or supplements known to impact mood (e.g., valerian, St. John's Wort) in the 8 weeks prior to baseline or planning to start in the study period.
19. Taking dietary supplements or food products that the investigator believes would interfere with the objectives of the study within 8 weeks prior to baseline ;
20. Participants who have taken psychotropics, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, systemic corticosteroids, opioid pain relievers, hypnotics, and/or prescribed sleep medication within 8-weeks of screening.
21. Has a gastrointestinal disease or condition, that by the investigators judgement, could interfere with the intestinal barrier function.
22. Are severely immunocompromised (transplant patient, on antirejection medications, on a steroid for 30 days, or chemotherapy or radiotherapy within the last year; HIV positive participants with undetectable viral loads would be allowed on the trial)
23. Have an active malignant disease or any concomitant end-stage organ disease (in the last 12 months), which, in the Investigator's judgment, contraindicates participation in the study.
24. Any immunosuppressant or chemotherapy medications, including mercaptopurine, azathioprine, or methotrexate;
25. Have had any other condition or are taking a medication that the investigator believes would interfere with the objectives of the study, pose a safety risk, or confound the interpretation of the study results
26. Individuals who, in the opinion of the investigator, are considered to be poor attendees or unlikely for any reason to be able to comply with the trial.
27. Participants may not be receiving treatment involving experimental drugs. If the Participant has been in a recent experimental trial, these must have been completed not less than 8 weeks prior to this trial.
28. Any Participant who is an employee of the study site or an Atlantia Clinical Trials employee or their close family member or a member of their household.