CASE STUDY

Decentralized Excellence:
People Science and Verb Biotics Evaluate Impact of Novel GABA Probiotic on Sleep Quality

Study Overview

A look at the study facts, key findings, and real-world implications.

Study Snapshot

Primary focus

Evaluate the impact of 5 Billion CFU daily of Lp815 on subjective and objective measures of sleep in a population with sleep disturbance.

Participant Criteria

Adults with moderate to severe sleep disruption who met specific eligibility requirements including an Insomnia Severity Index score of > 15, stable medication use, and washout periods for sleep aids and gut health supplements.

Study Type

Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, decentralized trial approved by the Sterling Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Study Structure

Participants collected 1 week of baseline data followed by 6 weeks of product or placebo use. The study was completely decentralized, with all outcomes logged via the Chloe and Oura Ring mobile apps.

Duration

9-week study; 6-week trial period.

Analytical Methods

Normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk (SW) test. Statistics appropriate for non-normal data (e.g., Mann-Whitney U, GLMMS) were used as appropriate.

Validation

A manuscript describing the findings is currently In Press at Nature Scientific Reports.

Key Results

77.3%

Reduced Insomnia Severity

68%

Decreased Anxiety

ISI

Improved Quality of Sleep / Downward Trend for Night Sweats

30 min

Time in Bed Increased

89%

Participants Would Participate in Another People Science Study

Study Details

Introduction

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the body’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, integral to both mood and sleep regulation. It is produced both in the brain and in the periphery, including by gut microbiota. In a previous study, Verb Biotics—a leader in next-generation probiotic development—partnered with People Science to investigate whether lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp815 improves anxiety symptoms. Lp815 is a strain selected in the laboratory to produce the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the physiological pH range. The results marked a breakthrough, as Lp815 intake was associated with a significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety compared to placebo.

Building on those findings, Verb Biotics and People Science partnered to evaluate Lp815’s impact on subjective and wearable sleep data, mood, and digestion over 7 weeks in adults with self-reported sleep disturbance. The project included a sub-study on urinary GABA excretion to tie subjective and objective sleep and mood outcomes to the proposed mechanism of action: increased peripheral GABA. Since prescription medications with substantial risk profiles are common front-line treatments for symptoms of sleep disruption, this probiotic is a promising alternative. By enhancing gut-derived GABA production and modulating the gut-brain axis, Lp815 could provide a novel approach to addressing sleep and anxiety disorders.

Data Collection

Participants took part in a 9-week study including screening, randomization, a one-week baseline, and six weeks of product or placebo use. During baseline, demographics, medical history, anxiety (GAD-7), insomnia (ISI), cognition, and wearable data were logged through the Chloe mobile app. Participants were randomized in a double-blind manner to receive either 5 billion CFU of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp815 or placebo daily. Objective sleep outcomes were tracked using the Gen3 Oura Ring, while subjective measures were collected bi-weekly via the Chloe app.

Execution

To execute a decentralized, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, People Science utilized its proprietary Consumer Health Learning & Organizing Ecosystem (Chloe). Chloe combines a mobile app with a health research platform designed for companies that prioritize scientific rigor, enabling rapid and cost-effective validation of product claims through evidence-based methods.

Chloe streamlined study design, data collection, study communications and data visualization, providing a comprehensive approach to participatory research.

Recruitment targeted adults with at least moderate insomnia symptoms, assessed by the Insomnia Severity Index, and leveraged digital outreach strategies to enroll a diverse population. A total of 139 participants were included (51.1% female, 55.4% Caucasian) in the 9-week study. This period involved screening, randomization to either 5 billion CFU of Lp815 daily or placebo, a one-week baseline, and six weeks of daily product/placebo use. A subset of 17 participants also contributed urine samples for neurotransmitter analysis. Outcome measures incorporated both subjective reports (sleep, mood, anxiety, digestion) and objective sleep metrics collected through wearable devices.

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Study Outcome

The collaboration yielded statistically significant, publishable results.

Clinical Validation: While ISI scores were similar at baseline and improved in both groups, there was a significantly greater reduction in insomnia severity in the treatment group by week 6. Additionally, GAD-7 scores (measuring anxiety symptoms) decreased more in the 5 Billion CFU group at weeks 2, 4, and 6 compared to placebo.

Decentralized Trial Efficiency: Utilizing the Chloe app minimized logistical challenges and improved participant engagement, setting a flexible model for future research.

Effective Execution: Completed the trial over a 9-week period. The project demonstrated People Science’s full-service support capabilities, from study design to data analysis.

We came to the clinical trial side with our understanding of the microbiome and the population that we wanted to look at, and we quickly realized that when we were dealing with People Science…they were invested in the science that we were doing.

Noah Zimmerman, PhD
CSO at Verb Biotics

Benefits to Verb Biotics

This RCT provided robust evidence that Verb’s GABA probiotic product improves sleep and anxiety—two of the most prevalent and interconnected wellness concerns today.
These findings position Verb’s product as both effective and highly relevant in a market seeking safe, non-pharmaceutical alternatives. By investing in gold-standard clinical research, Verb has established itself as a science-first supplier, improving its standing with both current and prospective partners across the health and wellness industry. Trial results are available as a preprint and will be published in a scientific journal, strengthening Verb’s credibility and garnering media attention for their GABA-producing probiotic.
Enabled seamless remote participation, reducing logistical barriers and costs associated with in-person visits.
Provided instant insights into participant data, allowing timely adjustments to maximize study effectiveness.
Structured prompts and reminders helped maintain high data quality and participant adherence throughout the trial.

Benefits to
Trial Participants

All participants could view their own results after the study. Putting participant experience at the center of our studies means high participant satisfaction, high compliance, and a growing pool of community participants.
Real-time feedback on individual progress, capturing more of participants’ interest.
89% of participants said they would participate in another People Science study, and recommend People Science studies to friends and family.