MOOTROPIC🌱
Gut Herd, explained
Probiotics & the gut-brain axis
TL;DR
Your gut houses trillions of microbes that talk to your brain through the vagus nerve, immune signals and metabolites like short-chain fatty acids. Probiotics add beneficial strains; prebiotics like FOS feed them.
40 billion CFU
Probiotic blend
Included
FOS
2
key studies cited
3
Mootropic products
How it works
- 1
Deliver
Delayed-release capsule gets live bacteria past stomach acid.
- 2
Colonize
Strains transiently populate the intestine alongside your resident microbes.
- 3
Feed
FOS prebiotic fiber feeds bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.
- 4
Signal
Short-chain fatty acids and vagal signals communicate with the brain.
- 5
Balance
Supports regularity and digestive comfort.*
Your second brain
The gut contains more than 100 million neurons — the enteric nervous system — and is connected to the brain by the vagus nerve. Gut microbes produce or influence neurotransmitters including serotonin precursors and GABA. This two-way line is called the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
Strains matter
Probiotic effects are strain-specific, which is why we use four well-characterized species: L. acidophilus, B. lactis, L. plantarum and L. paracasei. They're delivered in a MAKTREK® bi-pass capsule designed to survive stomach acid.
The FOS prebiotic is fermentable fiber — food for the good bacteria once they arrive. The probiotic plus prebiotic combination is called a synbiotic.
Gut Check: spores + enzymes
Gut Check takes a different route. Bacillus coagulans is a spore-forming probiotic: it stays dormant inside a protective coat until it reaches the intestine, so it survives stomach acid and needs no refrigeration — which is what makes it possible in a dissolving strip. Small randomized trials have studied B. coagulans for digestive comfort.*
The strip adds three digestive enzymes: protease, plus papain from papaya and bromelain from pineapple, which help break proteins down. Honest take: 10 billion CFU is a solid probiotic dose, while the enzyme amounts (10–15 mg each) are modest — think of it as backup after a big meal, not a replacement for a daily capsule probiotic like Gut Herd.
Our dose vs. the research
- Papain + bromelain (Gut Check)15 mg each
| Compound | Mootropic | Studied range |
|---|---|---|
| Probiotic blend (4 strains) | 40 billion CFU | 1–50 billion CFU depending on strain |
| FOS (prebiotic) | Included | 2.5–10 g/day for prebiotic effect from all diet sources |
| Bacillus coagulans (Gut Check) | 10 billion CFU | 1–15 billion CFU/day |
| Papain + bromelain (Gut Check) | 15 mg each | Typically 100–500 mg in enzyme studies |
⏰ When to take it
- Daily, with water, ideally around the same time.
- Give it 2–4 weeks; some people notice temporary gas in week one.
👍 Great for
- Everyday digestive comfort*
- Travel and changes in routine
- Supporting the gut-brain connection*
⚠️ Cautions
- Immunocompromised individuals should consult a doctor before taking live probiotics.
- Take 2 hours apart from antibiotics.
Key studies
- 1
International consensus definition and scope of probiotics.
Hill C. et al. (2014). Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology 11:506–514.
- 2
Comprehensive review of the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
Cryan J.F. et al. (2019). Physiological Reviews 99(4):1877–2013.
This page is for education, not medical advice. Studies cited used specific doses and populations; individual results vary. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
Find it in
Gut Herd
Probiotic 40 Billion + Prebiotics
$24.72/mo →
Udder Armor
Bovine Colostrum · 25% IgG
$31.96/mo →
Gut Check
Probiotic + Enzyme Strips · Mixed Berry
$28.72/mo →
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.