Inside our formulary sits Lactiplantibacillus plantarum — an NDI (neurobiome-directed intervention) strain our system matches to mood and stress support, described in our own strain data as “supporting serotonin and GABA pathways through the gut–brain axis.” Roughly 90% of the body's serotonin is made in the gut.
What 'NDI' actually means
An NDI (built on what the research literature calls a psychobiotic) is a strain that produces a measurable mental-health-linked effect by acting on the gut–brain axis — via neurotransmitter precursors, the vagus nerve, and short-chain fatty acids. L. plantarum is a working example in our formulary: it's mapped to serotonin and GABA signalling, the two systems most implicated in low mood.
What the broader research shows
Meta-analysis studies of probiotic trials report small-to-moderate reductions in depressive symptoms, strongest for multi-strain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium formulas over 8+ weeks. The recurring limitation is that most trials give everyone the same blend — the exact problem precision solves.
Why matched beats generic
Your microbiome is a fingerprint. Flore selects NDI strains like L. plantarum because your sequencing calls for them, not because they're in a fixed 'mood' pill. This supports mood and gut health; it is not a treatment for clinical depression — please involve a professional if you're struggling.
Not sure where to start with your gut?
Ask the Flore Microbiome Concierge — a guided, personalized walkthrough of testing, your results, and a formula matched to your goals.
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