The objective of this article is to explore how parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) implement dietary and nutraceutical therapies at home, and to understand the challenges, facilitators, and perceived outcomes that shape their use in real-world settings.
The gut microbiome exerts significant influence over mental health through the bidirectional communication network of the gut–brain axis. Growing evidence implicates disruptions in gut microbial composition in the pathophysiology of a range of neuropsychiatric conditions, including anxiety, major depressive disorder (MDD), and schizophrenia. Psychobiotics have emerged as a promising adjunctive strategy for modulating mental health outcomes through several interconnected mechanisms, including neurotransmitter modulation, immune regulation, short-chain fatty acid production, and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis stabilization, among others. This narrative review, intended for clinicians and researchers in integrative and functional medicine, synthesizes current clinical and translational evidence for probiotic interventions across anxiety, MDD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, highlighting key strains, mechanisms, and outcomes. Findings demonstrate that specific Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains show measurable benefit in reducing anxiety and depressive symptom severity, while emerging evidence suggests potential utility in psychotic disorders. Limitations include significant heterogeneity in strain selection, dosing protocols, study populations, and outcome measures, which constrain clinical translation. Future research should prioritize standardized protocols, longitudinal designs, and functional microbiome profiling to support personalized, microbiome-informed approaches to mental health care.
Psychedelic plant medicines such as Ayahuasca and Huachuma (San Pedro cactus) are gaining scientific attention for their potential to improve mental health. However, the interplay between these traditional medicines, the gut microbiome, and mental health outcomes remains underexplored.
The main objectives of this study are to investigate the effects of Ayahuasca and Huachuma ceremonies on the gut microbiome, depression, and subjective connectedness in a single patient and to generate hypotheses for future studies.
A 35-year-old female with prior psychedelic experience participated in separate Ayahuasca and Huachuma ceremonies. Qualitative data were collected through patient interviews. Quantitative data included stool samples collected before and after each ceremony for microbiome analysis, as well as survey data using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Watts Connectedness Scale (WCS) administered pre- and post-ceremony.
Both ceremonies resulted in substantial reductions in depression scores (HAM-D decreased: Ayahuasca from 18 to 6; Huachuma from 12 to 2) and connectedness scores (WCS increased: Ayahuasca from 62.3% to 95.37%; Huachuma from 58.32% to 84.65%). Although Ayahuasca and Huachuma induced different gut microbial composition shifts, reductions in pro-inflammatory taxa, normalization of inflammation-linked bacterial species, and increases in beneficial butyrate-producing bacterial species were observed for both. These microbial shifts aligned with improved subjective mental health and reduced inflammation. Qualitative interviews revealed distinct archetypal experiences with each medicine, informing personalized therapeutic approaches.
This hypothesis-generating case study illustrates a potential link between psychedelic-induced microbiome changes and improvements in mental health which may contribute to reduced inflammation and sustained antidepressant effects via the microbiota–gut–brain axis.
Shamanism is a transcultural, heterogeneous worldview that is primarily concerned with human interaction with the spirit world. Foremost among the many services provided by practitioners of shamanism is the healing of the mind, body, and spirit.
While most literature on shamanism consists of ethnographies of cultures that practice shamanism, the present literature search was performed to review existing medical literature of shamanic healing as a clinical intervention.
Sixteen publications met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 1 clinical trial, 2 case series, and 10 case reports.
Our findings demonstrate that shamanic healing as an intervention has potential benefits and a relatively low risk of harm, and is feasible to investigate as a clinical intervention. Further research is warranted to better elucidate its benefits.
The study analyzed the gut microbiota composition from over 3600 ambulatory donor samples undergoing routine medical evaluation from the USA, Canada, UK, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, and other regions, spanning ages from 2 to over 70 years using the GA-map® multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay. The research aimed to identify differences in dysbiosis index (DI) score, diversity, and gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota across age categories and regions. Bacterial DNA was extracted, followed by amplification, hybridization, and detection of target organisms. The DI score showed an inverse but nonsignificant change with age. Significantly reduced DI scores were observed in adult cohorts from the UK and Denmark compared to North America and Australia, likely due to reduced bacterial diversity. Nonsignificant reduction in bacterial diversity was observed in ages over 70 years. Bacterial species such as Actinobacteria, Bifidobacterium spp., Dialister invisus and Megasphaera micronuciformis, and Streptococcus salivarius spp. were more abundant in younger cohorts. Older donors showed increased abundance of Proteobacteria. In European and Australian cohorts, lower levels of Bacteroides spp. and Prevotella spp. were detected relative to the US among other differences. This study demonstrated significant age- and region-specific differences in gut microbiota composition in an ambulatory population free from GI pathogens, inflammation typically associated with irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease, or active diarrhea.
This review discusses the critical role of redox biology in human health, exploring the essential equilibrium between oxidative stress and antioxidant mechanisms for cellular function and overall vitality. We explore the multifaceted causes of oxidative stress, from intrinsic factors like mitochondrial activity, inflammation, and immune responses to extrinsic influences such as environmental pollutants and dietary components.
Nutrition plays an influential role in Parkinson’s disease. This study aims to assess nutritional obstacles, foods that impact symptoms, dietary guidelines, and consumption of dairy and organic foods in those with Parkinson’s disease.
Quantum medicine and regenerative medicine represent transformative frontiers in healthcare. This article explores their possible unification, by emphasizing Tesla waves (scalar waves) and 528 Hz sound frequency as potential bridges to enhance regenerative processes. By integrating quantum principles with regenerative therapies, this innovative approach has the potential to optimize cellular energy, accelerate recovery, and offer non-invasive treatment protocols. Rigorous scientific study is critical to substantiate these approaches and unlock their potential.
By researching the biochemical processes of foods that lower cholesterol, we were able to identify the ideal combinations of food types, consumption frequencies, and amounts that led to the decreased LDL-C.
This case study reports on the novel combination of three treatments for cognitive decline in a 79-year-old male: therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), peptides, and human umbilical cord tissue mesenchymal stem cells and exosomes (UCT-MSC-EXs).
To our knowledge, this is the first case study to report on reducing biological age, increasing telomere length, and improving cognition using this unique combination of therapies in a patient with mild to moderate cognitive decline.
We studied the effect of a dietary supplement on blood glucose. This prospective, single-arm, unblinded clinical interventional study investigated the impact of a nutritional supplement combination on fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin (A1c) levels, which were measured before and after the intervention. The supplement, which consisted of organic mulberry leaf extract, LactoSpore probiotics, and Fenumannan prebiotic, was given to adult (age ≥21 years) prediabetics and adults with type 2 diabetes (A1c >5.60 mg/dL). The study protocol comprised six phases including initial and final tests for fasting glucose and A1c, and a 12-week period of supplement administration. The statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS and Intellectus Statistics. A total of 24 participants completed the study. A reduction of 0.94% in the A1c level and 40.52% in the fasting glucose level were found. These preliminary findings suggest that the nutritional supplement combination might be clinically effective in reducing fasting glucose and A1c in prediabetic adults and those with type 2 diabetes.
These case reports discuss two middle-aged patients with confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 infection that improved swiftly upon receiving orthomolecular oral and intravenous therapy. The intravenous solution provided minerals like magnesium, as well as vitamin C and B complex vitamins, among others. The patients also started iodine-based nasopharyngeal decontamination spray and oral supplements, including substantial doses of vitamins C, B complex, and D, as well as magnesium, zinc, quercetin, melatonin, and omega-3. In addition, two types of biological response modifiers, palmitoylethanolamide and specialized proresolving factor marine lipid concentrate, were used. As well as reporting on the treatment and evolution of both cases, we review the mechanisms and clinical evidence supporting each element of the treatment protocol.