Soil-derived Mycobacterium supplement to help with anxiety and stress resilience
Evaluation of a novel soil-derived Mycobacterium as a nutritional supplement to promote stress resilience
A heat-killed soil-derived Mycobacterium taken as a daily supplement for adults to support stress resilience and reduce anxiety.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kioga INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Erie, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11254950 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is developing a heat-killed strain of soil-derived Mycobacterium as an oral supplement aimed at helping adults cope with stress and anxiety. The team isolated about 30 novel strains and used lab tests to rank them for immune-regulating activity, and prior animal work found some strains reduced stress-related behaviors in mice and rats. The current work focuses on choosing the best strain, making a safe supplement formulation, and preparing for testing in people. The approach is based on the idea that exposure to certain environmental bacteria can help rebalance immune responses linked to anxiety.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with anxiety disorders or high, ongoing stress who are interested in trying non-prescription, immune-targeting supplement approaches would be the most likely candidates for future testing.
Not a fit: People who are immunocompromised, pregnant, under 21, or who need urgent psychiatric treatment may not benefit from or be eligible for this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could become a safe, easy-to-take supplement option that helps reduce anxiety and improves resilience to stress for some adults.
How similar studies have performed: Related environmental mycobacteria have shown stress-reducing and anti-inflammatory effects in animal studies over decades, but human data are limited and the approach remains relatively new for people.
Where this research is happening
Erie, UNITED STATES
- Kioga INC. — Erie, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stamper, Christopher E — Kioga INC.
- Study coordinator: Stamper, Christopher E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.