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Author: Scott Anderson
Transferring the Blues
Can depression be transferred via microbes? The gut-brain axis–the fascinating connection between gut microbes and the brain–sounds like science fiction. How can such tiny creatures affect our mood and behavior? How much of this story is hype and how much is real, useful science? In 2003, Nobuyuki Sudo and colleagues noticed that germ-free mice behaved…
Problems Sleeping? Look to Your Gut
How the bacteria in your gut manipulate your sleep patterns. Your gut is linked to your brain in surprising ways, and you may be losing sleep over it. Research into the gut-brain axis reveals that, amazingly, microbes in your gut can affect your mood—and along with that, your sleep patterns. Sleep disorders and depression are common among…
The Shocking Source of Your Cravings
Your gut microbiota brazenly gives you cravings to get what it wants. “If you’re not constantly craving breakfast every second of every day, you’re not a real American.” –Rob Riggle I have carefully honed my taste buds for years to appreciate the finer things in life like doughnuts and Cheetos. OK, I don’t actually remember choosing…
Developing Your Gut-Brain Axis: The First Thousand Days
In the first thousand days, proper brain growth depends on a healthy microbiota. As a spanking new baby, you are completely defenseless against the dangerous pathogens in the world. Your mother’s beneficial microbes—delivered by vaginal bacteria, breast milk, and even kisses—are designed to protect you against that onslaught by kick-starting your very own microbiota. Mother’s milk is…