Microbes on Your Mind

The article offers information on the role played by the microorganisms on the moods and thought processing of the human brain. It states that composed mostly of bacteria but also viruses and fungi, the so-called gut microbiota churns out a complex cocktail of biologically active compounds. It mentions that gut microbes could also account for some of the differences in mood, personality and thought processes that occur within and among individuals. Microbes on Your Mind Bacteria in your gut may be influencing your thoughts and moods The thought of parasites preying on your body or brain very likely sends shivers down your spine. Perhaps you imagine insectoid creatures bursting from stomachs or a malevolent force controlling your actions. These visions are not just the night terrors of science-fiction writers -the natural world is replete with such examples. Take Toxoplasma gondii, the single-celled parasite. When mice are infected by it, they suffer the grave misfortune of becoming attracted to cats. Once a cat inevitably consumes the doomed creature, the parasite can complete its life cycle inside its new host. Or consider Cordyceps, the parasitic fungus that can grow into the brain of an insect. The fungus can force an ant to climb a plant before consuming its brain entirely. After the insect dies, a mushroom sprouts from its head, allowing the fungus to disperse its spores as widely as possible. Microbes that manipulate the behavior of their host are not limited to nature's dark corners, although those examples are vivid. Our body hosts vast numbers of foreign microorganisms, some of which wield unseen powers over us. These microbes are not parasites -they live on and in our body, mostly in our gut, and often strike up a symbiotic relationship with us. Composed mostly of bacteria but also viruses and fungi, this so-called gut microbiota churns out a complex cocktail of biologically active compounds. Some of these products closely resemble human hormones and neurotransmitters, the chemicals that neurons use to communicate with one another. Microbes in the gut (the small and large intestines and the stomach) have long been known to play a role in human health. Irritable bowel syndrome and stomach ulcers, for example, are linked to an imbalanced microbial population. In the past few years scientists have been discovering that these microscopic inhabitants of our body may be subtly altering our moods, emotions and perhaps even our personalities. Gut microbiota appear to alter gene activity in the brain and the development of key regions involved in memory and learning. These denizens of our intestines could help explain why psychiatric symptoms vary among individuals, as well as their responses to medications. Gut microbes could also account for some of the differences in mood, personality and thought processes that occur within and among individuals. Early clinical trials are even suggesting that probiotic supplements could treat mood disorders. Eventually we may learn that our bacterial soup contains markers for diseases, which could be detected cheaply and quickly. "Research into the gut microbiome has the potential to change many aspects of health and biotechnology," says molecular biophysicist Rob Knight of the University of Colorado at Boulder.