According to the outcomes of a placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial, Bifidobacterium breve CCFM1025 stands out as a promising contender among psychobiotic strains, showing the potential to improve sleep quality. Researchers sought to determine the influence of CCFM1025 intervention on the quality of sleep in insomnia.

Conducted under rigorous scientific standards, the trial enlisted 40 volunteers (age range of 18–65 years) diagnosed with stress-triggered insomnia. The enrolled subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: one group received CCFM1025, a psychobiotic strain, at a dose of 5 × 109 colony forming unit (n=20), while the other group received a placebo (n=20). Over the course of 4 weeks, researchers closely monitored the effects of the treatment on sleep quality.

In comparison with the placebo arm (pre: M = 10.10, Standard deviation [SD] = 2.292; post: M = 8.650, SD = 2.793; pre vs. post: F (1, 38) = 15.41, p = 0.4316), which showed minimal change in sleep quality, participants treated with CCFM1025 exhibited a remarkable drop in their Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores (pre: M = 11.60, SD = 3.169; post: M = 7.750, SD = 3.697, F (1, 38) = 15.41, p = 0.0007). This improvement was evident from baseline measurements, indicating a tangible benefit in sleep quality following the administration of the psychobiotic strain. Moreover, the study uncovered a compelling link between CCFM1025 administration and a drop in the concentrations of stress markers.

This finding suggests that psychobiotic therapy not only enhances sleep quality but also contributes to a reduction in stress levels, potentially offering a holistic approach to tackling sleep-related issues. The mechanism behind this remarkable effect was thought to involve alterations in serum metabolites triggered by probiotic usage, with particular emphasis on daidzein. In conclusion, Bifidobacterium breve CCFM1025 emerges as a promising psychobiotic strain with the potential to revolutionize the treatment of sleep disorders by modulating the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.