Our work is expanding... ...to the gut-brain axis (the bidirectional line of communication between your gut and brain). 🧠 In collaboration with Axial Therapeutics (co-founded by Dr. Sarkis Mazmanian) and building on over a decade of discoveries from Dr. Mazmanian’s Lab at Caltech 🔬, we are launching a Gut-Brain Program to develop probiotic innovations for mental health with the potential to impact areas like anxiety, depression, and mental well-being. In recent years, the gut-brain axis has made its way to the forefront of scientific research and discovery as science has revealed its role in immune and pain response, metabolism, mood, social behavior, and cognition—in addition to a range of psychological and neurological conditions and diseases, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, depression, anxiety, Parkinson’s, and even Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Sarkis Mazmanian, Professor of Microbiology in the Division of Biology & Biological Engineering at Caltech and Seed Scientific Board and Board of Directors member, is a pioneer in gut-brain research. 👨‍🔬 His lab was the first to discover the critical contributions of gut microbes and microbial metabolites in neuropsychiatric conditions like anxiety. More recently, a study1 from his lab revealed that specific microbes alone can modulate brain activity in the hypothalamus (a region of the brain that acts like your body’s control center) to reduce levels of the stress hormone corticosterone and regulate social behavior. 🤯 These advancements in gut-brain research reveal an entirely new paradigm for treatment and the potential of probiotic innovations. Alongside pioneers like Dr. Mazmanian, we are inspired to realize the potential of this research, which presents a promising future for the millions of us who experience and suffer from a range of mental health conditions and disorders. Ready to enter the next frontier? Give us a 🧠 below. Citation in the comments.