Ingesting capsules containing faecal microbes from healthy donors helped treat symptoms of chronic insomnia in a randomised clinical trial, according to research published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that participants receiving faecal microbiota capsules showed significantly higher sleep efficiency and reduced wake time after sleep onset one month after treatment, as measured by overnight polysomnography. Patient questionnaires also indicated that sleep quality scores improved from two to six months in the intervention group compared with the placebo group.
Co-corresponding author Dr Yanping Bao of Peking University in Beijing noted that the findings provide clinical evidence that targeting the gut microbiota may offer a promising new therapeutic strategy for chronic insomnia disorder. The research also strengthens understanding of the gut-brain axis as an important regulator of human sleep.
Chronic insomnia affects a substantial proportion of the global population and is associated with impaired daytime functioning, reduced quality of life, and increased risk of various health conditions. Current treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy and pharmacological interventions, though many patients continue to experience symptoms despite available therapies.
The gut microbiome has increasingly been recognised as influencing brain function and behaviour through multiple pathways, including the production of neurotransmitters and metabolites that can affect sleep regulation. Previous research has identified differences in gut microbiota composition between individuals with insomnia and healthy controls, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
The trial results suggest that faecal microbiota transplantation could represent a novel approach to treating sleep disorders by modulating the gut-brain axis, though further research will be needed to confirm these findings in larger populations.
Source: Medical Xpress / Wiley (Journal of Internal Medicine, 2026)
