3 ms·

Scientists Discover Gut Microbes That Can Boost the Motivation to Exercise

akolbe 4y ago
There seems to be quite a lot of research in this area. Another recent article, titled "What if Your Mood Depends on the Bacteria in Your Gut?": https://lab.cccb.org/en/what-if-your-mood-depends-on-the-bacteria-in-your-gut/ https://lab.cccb.org/en/what-if-your-mood-depends-on-the-bac... Excerpt: "The first clue to the close relationship between mind and gut came half a century ago, when experiments on mice showed that any kind of stress, from hunger to sleep, loud noises or separating pups from their mothers, altered the composition of the animals’ gut microbiota, which was linked to an increased risk of health problems. Intestinal bacteria are able to influence levels of serotonin, one of the many biochemical messengers that regulate our mood and behaviour; they promote the metabolism of dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with joy, learning and reward; and they are involved in the release of GABA, an essential molecule in modulating behaviour." The influence seems to go both says – psychological stress degrades the microbiota, and the microbiota influence psychological well-being: "studies have found that by transferring bacteria from children with autism spectrum disorder to healthy mice, the animals developed symptoms similar to those of the children, such as social aversion."
chiefalchemist 4y ago
Another study confirming (?) the gut brain connection. And it won't be the last. We might be the dominating host, but we'd be nothing without the armies in our gut. They talk about the oceans being under-explored. Our guts are even more so.
- yarg 4y ago
  We're hoping we're the dominant host, but we've also seen that that's not always the case.
  - chiefalchemist 4y ago
    Yeah. I have my doubts. I have this 50's sci-fi plot in mind where they are the dominate species and we're just the over-sized goons who have evolved to protect them. Frankly, the whole gut bacteria thing (doesn't surprise me per se but) boggles my mind. I hope they legalize shrooms in NJ soon ;)
    - euroderf 4y ago
      For a gut-related sci-fi plot, check out "The Stuff". It's like yogurt... with an evil agenda.
Khaine 4y ago
So ummmm, where can one get some of these microbes? Asking for a friend.
- ccvannorman 4y ago
  I wasn't able to find the bacteria species used in the mice from the original paper, because the original paper is behind a paywall. Sci-Hub did not have the full paper as of yet.
  - saurik 4y ago
    Doesn't it say right in this linked summary article that it is Eubacterium rectale and Coprococcus eutactus?
    - ccvannorman 4y ago
      I .. umm.. err ... well my comment is still technically accurate .. ^_^
cameronh90 4y ago
... in mice.

There seems to be quite a lot of research in this area. Another recent article, titled "What if Your Mood Depends on the Bacteria in Your Gut?": https://lab.cccb.org/en/what-if-your-mood-depends-on-the-bacteria-in-your-gut/ https://lab.cccb.org/en/what-if-your-mood-depends-on-the-bac... Excerpt: "The first clue to the close relationship between mind and gut came half a century ago, when experiments on mice showed that any kind of stress, from hunger to sleep, loud noises or separating pups from their mothers, altered the composition of the animals’ gut microbiota, which was linked to an increased risk of health problems. Intestinal bacteria are able to influence levels of serotonin, one of the many biochemical messengers that regulate our mood and behaviour; they promote the metabolism of dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with joy, learning and reward; and they are involved in the release of GABA, an essential molecule in modulating behaviour." The influence seems to go both says – psychological stress degrades the microbiota, and the microbiota influence psychological well-being: "studies have found that by transferring bacteria from children with autism spectrum disorder to healthy mice, the animals developed symptoms similar to those of the children, such as social aversion."

chiefalchemist 4y ago

Another study confirming (?) the gut brain connection. And it won't be the last. We might be the dominating host, but we'd be nothing without the armies in our gut. They talk about the oceans being under-explored. Our guts are even more so.

yarg 4y ago
We're hoping we're the dominant host, but we've also seen that that's not always the case.
- chiefalchemist 4y ago
  Yeah. I have my doubts. I have this 50's sci-fi plot in mind where they are the dominate species and we're just the over-sized goons who have evolved to protect them. Frankly, the whole gut bacteria thing (doesn't surprise me per se but) boggles my mind. I hope they legalize shrooms in NJ soon ;)
  - euroderf 4y ago
    For a gut-related sci-fi plot, check out "The Stuff". It's like yogurt... with an evil agenda.

Khaine 4y ago

So ummmm, where can one get some of these microbes? Asking for a friend.

ccvannorman 4y ago
I wasn't able to find the bacteria species used in the mice from the original paper, because the original paper is behind a paywall. Sci-Hub did not have the full paper as of yet.
- saurik 4y ago
  Doesn't it say right in this linked summary article that it is Eubacterium rectale and Coprococcus eutactus?
  - ccvannorman 4y ago
    I .. umm.. err ... well my comment is still technically accurate .. ^_^

cameronh90 4y ago

... in mice.