Probitoics For Kids With Anxiety and ADHD: What Parents Need to Know
Probiotics are encapsulated yeasts and bacteria.
Over the last decade, research has grown remarkably clear: the microbes in the gut have a measurable impact on mood, thoughts, emotional regulation, and behavior. That’s why probiotics are often considered for kids with diagnoses like ADHD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
While fermented foods like sauerkraut, miso, kimchi, kombucha, pickles, and kefir naturally contain many of the same microbes found in probiotic supplements, getting these foods into kids isn’t always easy. Supplements can offer a starting point when you’re trying to shift your child’s gut microbiome. Since choosing the right one can feel confusing, this article can serve as a guide to help you understand which probiotic supplements are worth considering and why.
Top 2 Reasons Probiotic Supplements May Help With Anxiety and ADHD
There are an estimated 20+ trillion microbial species in the human digestive tract, and their influence on health is profound. When it comes to mood, learning, and behavior, probiotics matter most in two key areas:
1. Neurotransmission
Certain microbes help produce neurotransmitters like GABA, serotonin, and dopamine - chemicals that shape how we think and feel. About 90% of serotonin and 50% of dopamine are produced in the gut, along with a significant portion of GABA.
If a child’s microbial balance is off, production of these neurotransmitters may drop. This can contribute to things like low motivation, poor focus, irritability, agitation, or low mood.
One example: L. rhamnosus, a probiotic strain studied for its potential to influence GABA and support kids with ADHD.
2. Digestive Capacity
When the microbial ecosystem is imbalanced, digestive capacity often weakens. If a child isn’t breaking down food well, they can’t extract the nutrients their body and brain require. This also leaves the door open for issues like yeast overgrowth, parasites, or infections that further compromise nourishment.
This is one way a child can be well-fed yet biologically malnourished.
So if your child is struggling with mood, behavior, or cognitive function, it's worthwhile assessing gut stressors that affect neurotransmitter production/transport and digestion.
Types of Probiotic Supplements
When you shop for probiotics, you’ll typically find three main categories.
1. Lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium Strains
These are usually found in the fridge at the store. Many strains are well studied; others less so. They contain live organisms and come in capsules or powders, but they lose potency when exposed to heat (hence the refrigeration).
There’s ongoing debate about whether these strains survive stomach acid. Even if they don’t, their “debris” may still have benefits, but some researchers think they don’t appear to reliably colonize the gut.
2. Soil-Based Organisms (SBOs)
These shelf-stable capsules contain microbes naturally found in soil. While being outdoors and exposed to soil supports immunity, research and clinical results on SBO supplements themselves are inconsistent. I rarely recommend them, though I absolutely encourage letting kids play in dirt and mud.
3. Spore-Based Probiotics
These have become my go-to when we’re working to improve a dysregulated microbiome and address immune, metabolic, or inflammatory issues.
Spore probiotics contain bacteria in their dormant spore form, which allows them to:
- survive stomach acid,
- remain shelf-stable,
- “wake up” only once they reach the upper large intestine,
- be tolerated even in cases of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Spore-based strains have been shown to:
- colonize the gut,
- increase microbial diversity,
- crowd out pathogens,
- support immune function,
- reduce intestinal inflammation,
- promote gut-lining repair,
- improve insulin sensitivity,
- support weight regulation,
- improve satiety and energy.
Cautions When Using Probiotics With Kids
A comprehensive stool analysis is the best way to determine which probiotics your child may benefit from, because it identifies microbial deficiencies and overgrowths. But parents can certainly experiment (slowly and intentionally).
Start low and increase gradually, watching mood, sleep, skin, and bowel changes closely. Reactions can be strong.
Also remember this: probiotics are just one part of a healthy gut ecosystem. Just as monocropping doesn’t improve soil health, using only one type of probiotic won’t fully restore microbial balance. Rotate formulas, and address the other foundations of digestive health: nutrition, stress, sleep, chemical exposures, and movement.
What About Prebiotics?
Some probiotics contain prebiotic fibres like inulin or FOS. These fibres feed beneficial microbes, but they can be too stimulating early on. If your child has a lot of gas, bloat, irritability, or behavioral challenges, you may want to start with a probiotic without prebiotics. Add prebiotic fibres only after digestion is more stable.
If probiotics worsen constipation, gas, belly distention, or behavior, consult a practitioner.
The Bottom Line
Probiotics can be a helpful tool when you’re trying to ease your child’s anxiety, ADHD, irritability, or anger by shifting their microbiome, but they’re not a cure-all.
Changing the microbiome changes the messages travelling through your child’s body, and that can support calm and focus. Even if your child doesn’t have obvious digestive symptoms, gut stress is often present beneath the surface.
On stool tests from kids with anxiety, ADHD, and conduct disorders, I almost always see imbalances such as:
- low protective species (Akkermansia, Lactobacillus),
- overgrowth of opportunistic species (Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Streptococcus, Methanobacteriaceae),
- digestive insufficiencies (low elastase, high steatocrit).
A stool analysis is the clearest way to understand these patterns. But if you’re experimenting without testing, spore-based probiotics are a good starting point.
And remember: probiotics are only one part of the picture. Shifting food patterns, supporting sleep, and reducing environmental stressors matter just as much for helping your child feel calmer, think more clearly, and handle life with more ease.
To see some of our preferred types of probiotics for kids, visit our stores HERE
FAQ: Probiotics for Kids With Anxiety, ADHD, and Behavior Challenges
Are probiotics safe for kids with anxiety or ADHD?
Generally, yes, but “safe” doesn’t always mean “well tolerated.” Some children experience shifts in mood, sleep, skin, or digestion when they start probiotics. Beginning with a low dose and increasing gradually helps you see how your child responds. If symptoms like irritability, constipation, or bloating worsen, pause and consult a practitioner.
Which probiotic is best for anxiety or ADHD?
There isn’t a single “best” option, but I find spore-based probiotics tend to be the most effective when the goal is to support microbial diversity, improve gut integrity, and influence neurotransmitter pathways. Some kids also need Bifidobacteria strains, and strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus have been studied for their effect on GABA and attention.
How long does it take to see changes from probiotics?
Some families notice changes in mood, behavior, or digestion within days, while others may need several weeks. It depends on the type of disruption you're trying to address.
Can probiotics replace ADHD or anxiety medications?
No. Probiotics are a supportive tool, not a replacement for medical treatment. They can help address underlying biological stressors that make symptoms worse, but medication decisions should always be made with your child’s healthcare team.
Should my child take probiotics every day?
Daily use can be helpful short term, but continuous use of the same formula isn’t always necessary. Rotating strains and periodically reassessing digestion, symptoms, and diet supports a more balanced ecosystem.
Can probiotics make behavior worse?
Yes, temporarily, sometimes. As the microbiome shifts, some kids experience increased gas, irritability, restlessness, or sleep disruption. This can be a sign that the probiotic dose is too high, the formula contains prebiotics that are too stimulating, or there is underlying gut inflammation. Move slowly and pay attention to changes.
Are fermented foods better than probiotic supplements?
Fermented foods contain a broader variety of microbes than any supplement can, but supplements can be an accessible starting point while you work on widening your child’s palate or improving their digestion enough to tolerate these foods.
Does my child need a stool test before trying probiotics?
Not necessarily. Parents can learn a lot from gentle experimentation. A stool analysis gives you clearer information about which species are lacking, which are overgrown, and which digestive factors need attention, so if symptoms are significant or persistent, testing can be extremely helpful.
What dose of probiotics should I start with?
Start slowly - even ⅛ or ¼ of a capsule is sometimes all kids can handle - especially for sensitive children. Increase slowly every few days while monitoring behavior, sleep, digestion, and skin.
Are probiotics helpful if my child has no digestive symptoms?
Surprisingly, yes. Many kids with anxiety, irritability, or focus challenges have hidden microbial stress, even if their stools appear normal and they have no digestive pain. The gut and brain are tightly connected, and microbial imbalances can affect emotional and cognitive function long before digestive symptoms show up.
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Related Articles:
Why Probiotics Are Not Necessarily The Answer To Better Digestion
How to move a child from Stressed to Strength
How the gut microbiome shapes a child's mood and behaviour
How to get your kids interested in their gut health without nagging
>> To see some of our preferred types of probiotics for kids, visit our stores HERE
