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2007-8-31 18:00:02 |
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Exposure to bacteria harboring in soil may help improve mood as effectively as antidepressant drugs, according to a new study. In the study, researchers had mice exposed to a benign soil microbe, Mycobacterium vaccae and found that those who were exposed swam longer than those who were not exposed to the bacteria. Cancer patients exposed to the same bacterium reported significant improvement in their life, as found in early studies. The researchers believe that the microbes have an impact on the brain causing immune cells to release chemicals known as cytokins, which promotes production of the mood regulating compound serotonin. Read more at Neuroscience March 28, 2007 |
