Feeding the Mind: Microbiome, Supplements, and Mental Health

Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and more. Microbiome-related supplements are increasingly used by Australians seeking to support their gut health and overall wellbeing. But what does the evidence really tell us about their effectiveness?

Join Dr Amelia McGuinness and Dr Tetyana Rocks in this one-hour live webinar exploring the microbiome-gut-brain axis and the evidence for microbiome-related supplements for mental and brain health.

In this webinar, we’ll explore what research currently tells us about these microbiome-related supplements for supporting gut and brain health, and how they fit into the food and mood equation.

Brought to you by Deakin University’s Food & Mood Academy, this webinar will examine what microbiome-related supplements are, how they’re proposed to work, and what the evidence currently says about their role in mental and brain health.

Drawing on Nutritional Psychiatry research and clinical expertise, you’ll walk away understanding current, evidence-based recommendations for microbiome-related supplements and dietary strategies to support your mental and brain health.

This webinar is designed for community members, health-interested consumers, and professionals seeking a clear, evidence-based overview of microbiome-related supplements, without hype or product promotion. No prior knowledge is required.

There will also be time at the end to have your questions answered by our experts.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

• Describe what probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and other microbiome-related supplements are, and how they are thought to influence the microbiome-gut-brain axis
• Summarise the current evidence on microbiome-related supplements for mental health, including where evidence is emerging or limited
• Understand how to interpret supplement claims and marketing considering the scientific evidence
• Identify practical, evidence-informed ways to support the microbiome and mood

WHO WILL YOU LEARN WITH?

Dr Amelia McGuinness is a Research Fellow at Deakin University’s Food & Mood Centre. Her research focuses on how changes to the gut microbiome may be influencing mental health. She is the lead investigator on a number of clinical trials investigating novel, microbiome related treatments for mental and brain health outcomes.

Dr Tetyana Rocks is Director of Deakin University’s Food & Mood Academy, and a senior research fellow who leads the translational activities within the Food & Mood Centre. Dr Rocks is an accredited dietitian with extensive experience in professional education.

Moderated by Phelia Harrison, Associate Nutritionist, Chef and Communications Manager at the Food & Mood Academy.

Contact us at foodmoodacademy@deakin.edu.au if you have any questions.

This is a free event to attend, however we gratefully accept donations of any value to support our ability to host free events. Donate here.

This event will be recorded and the recording shared with all registrants.

Want to dive deeper into Lifestyle Medicine or Nutritional Psychiatry?

The Food & Mood Academy, free online course: Food and Mood has been updated for 2026 with new resources, evidence and content. Sign up for free now.

Explore accredited CPD courses developed by your presenters and hosted online by FutureLearn:

• Lifestyle Medicine for Mental Health Services: Life and Mind accredited by RACGP

• Introduction to Nutritional Psychiatry: Nutri-Psyche accredited by RANZCP and BSLM