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Gut Bacteria Exert Mind Control

Posted by Soulskill on from the lactobacillus-colbertsus dept.

sciencehabit writes "Hundreds of species of bacteria call the human gut their home. This gut 'microbiome' influences our physiology and health in ways that scientists are only beginning to understand. Now, a new study suggests that gut bacteria can even mess with the mind, altering brain chemistry and changing mood and behavior (abstract)."

7 of 221 comments (clear)

  1. Already knew that... by SpasticWeasel · · Score: 3, Funny

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasites_Lost

    --
    No sooner do I get over one, then you put a better one right next to me. Bastards.
  2. Are you pondering what I'm pondering? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    In this case, the side effects appeared to be beneficial. Mice whose diets were supplemented with L. rhamnosus for 6 weeks exhibited fewer signs of stress and anxiety in standard lab tests, Cryan and colleagues report online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

    ...

    "This was really exciting because it tells us the animals are more chilled out and don't mount the same stress response," Cryan says.

    Or maybe the mice just felt good after having taken a really satisfying dump.

    Brain: Are you pondering what I'm pondering?
    Pinky: Uh, I think so, Brain, but burlap chafes me so. NARF!

  3. Unnerving by Verdatum · · Score: 3, Funny

    I liked the bit where they cut the vagus nerve. Before I got to that point in TFA, I was thinking "Well sure, rats fed lactobacillus will have lower stress levels! Life isn't as stressful when you poop good!"

  4. I wasn't going to post anything by SmurfButcher+Bob · · Score: 3, Funny

    but I just had this gut feeling that something bad would happen if I didn't.

    --

    help me i've cloned myself and can't remember which one I am

  5. My Gut Reaction by ichthus · · Score: 3, Funny

    My gut tells me this story is complete nonsense. Yep, nothing to see here. Move along.

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    sig: sauer
  6. Re:Well by Sulphur · · Score: 4, Funny

    I think these are more like innerlords.

    This too shall pass away.

    --

    Never let a computer or a cat know that you are in a hurry.

  7. Re:vastly outnumbered by our bacterial overlords by thunderclap · · Score: 3, Funny

    So you are saying that Vegans are crazy because they don't eat meat and those microbes exert a greater influence because of it?