Depression and Anxiety Disorders
90% of serotonin -- the "happiness hormone" -- is produced in the gut. Han's United includes depression and anxiety disorders in its clinical practice. The gut-brain axis is the key to understanding the connection between the microbiome and mood.
About Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders, affecting more than 300 million people worldwide.
About the Disorder
Depression is characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest in life, and fatigue. It is often accompanied by anxiety disorders.
Important Fact: Up to 30% of patients do not respond to standard antidepressants -- this is called treatment-resistant depression. Microbiome modulation is a new approach for such cases.
Symptoms
- Depressed mood most of the day
- Loss of interest in activities (anhedonia)
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia or hypersomnia)
- Fatigue, loss of energy
- Difficulty concentrating
The Gut-Brain Axis and Mood
- 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut
- Bacteria influence the production of GABA and dopamine
- The vagus nerve transmits signals to the brain
- Chronic inflammation is linked to depression
Conventional Treatment
SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, psychotherapy. Effects are typically achieved within 4-8 weeks.
Up to 30% of patients do not experience relief from standard antidepressants. Microbiome modulation offers an additional therapeutic pathway.
Why FMT for Depression?
"Psychobiotics" are a new frontier in psychiatry. FMT can modulate neurotransmitter production by restoring a healthy microbiome. Han's United includes depression in its clinical practice.
Dysbiosis
Microbiome changes in depression
Neurotransmitter Imbalance
Decreased serotonin, dopamine, GABA
FMT Transplantation
Restoration of a healthy microbiome
Mood Improvement
Normalization of neurochemistry, reduced inflammation
Scientific Rationale
Patients with depression have been found to have dysbiosis with a characteristic decrease in "beneficial" bacteria. Transplanting fecal matter from depressed mice induced depressive behavior in healthy animals -- and vice versa. This confirms a causal link between the microbiome and mood.
Potential Effects of FMT
- Normalization of serotonin and GABA production
- Reduction of systemic inflammation
- Improved vagus nerve signaling
- Modulation of the stress response (HPA axis)
Research Results
FMT research for depression is gaining momentum. Han's United includes depression and anxiety disorders in its neuropsychiatric clinical practice.
90%
Of serotonin -- from the gut
GABA
Bacteria produce this neurotransmitter
300M+
People with depression worldwide
Phase II
Clinical trials
Key Studies
- Zheng et al., Molecular Psychiatry 2016: Transplanting microbiota from depressed patients induced depressive behavior in mice
- Valles-Colomer et al., Nature Microbiology 2019: Bacteria linked to quality of life and depression were identified
- Han's United: Depression and anxiety disorders are included in the neuropsychiatric clinical practice
- Clinical trials 2022-2026: Several RCTs of FMT for treatment-resistant depression are underway in the USA, Europe, and China
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Patient Story
Experience with a comprehensive approach to depression
"After several years of battling depression and switching antidepressants, I decided to try FMT as a complement to my primary therapy. It's not a magic pill, but I noticed improved energy, my sleep normalized, and my overall mood became brighter. Combined with psychotherapy, it produced a noticeable result."
Liu M.
38 years old, Shanghai
* Name changed. Results are individual. FMT for depression is a complementary, not a replacement therapy.
Related Conditions
FMT is also being studied for other neuropsychiatric conditions
Autism (ASD)
Developmental disorder with communication and behavioral features
Parkinson's
Neurodegenerative disease with motor impairment
Alzheimer's
Progressive memory and cognitive impairment
ALS
Progressive motor neuron degeneration
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Standard Treatment Not Working?
If antidepressants are not providing sufficient relief, contact us via Telegram or WhatsApp. We will discuss whether microbiome modulation could help in your situation.
Free consultation · We respond within 24 hours
China, Jiangxi Province, Shangrao City, Guangxin District, West Binjiang Road