Mood by Microbe

Gut-Brain Axis

A Twisted Tale of Genes, Microbes, and Alzheimer's

Scott C. Anderson on May 25, 2023

A new study finds associations between Alzheimer's, genetics, and gut microbes. Can diet affect our risk of dementia?

A new study finds associations between Alzheimer's, genetics, and gut microbes. Can diet affect our risk of dementia?

Depression

Antibiotics and the Brain: It’s Complicated

Scott C. Anderson on May 3, 2023

If you don’t have a bacterial infection, don’t take antibiotics. They can decimate gut microbes and affect your mood and cognition.

If you don’t have a bacterial infection, don’t take antibiotics. They can decimate gut microbes and affect your mood and cognition.

Anxiety

New Hope for Social Anxiety Disorder

Scott C. Anderson on April 3, 2023

Social anxiety disorder can keep people from enjoying a normal life. A newly discovered connection to gut microbes provides some hope for improvement.

Social anxiety disorder can keep people from enjoying a normal life. A newly discovered connection to gut microbes provides some hope for improvement.

Chronic Illness

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Has a Bacterial Signature

Scott C. Anderson on March 24, 2023

ME/CFS is a devastating disease that is sadly understudied. Recently, two studies found a connection with gut microbes. What does this mean for ME/CFS patients?

ME/CFS is a devastating disease that is sadly understudied. Recently, two studies found a connection with gut microbes. What does this mean for ME/CFS patients?

Diet

Take the Latest Sugar Study With a Grain of Salt

Scott C. Anderson on March 7, 2023

An imperfect study of erythritol gets even worse press coverage, alarming diabetics and keto dieters. What is the real story of erythritol and heart disease?

An imperfect study of erythritol gets even worse press coverage, alarming diabetics and keto dieters. What is the real story of erythritol and heart disease?

Alcoholism

What Binge Drinking Does to the Brain, and the Gut

Scott C. Anderson on February 13, 2023

Going on benders changes your gut microbiota, which can change your long-term behavior. Starting young may set up a problematic pattern.

Going on benders changes your gut microbiota, which can change your long-term behavior. Starting young may set up a problematic pattern.

Diet

A Trillion Little Reasons Why You Can’t Lose Weight

Scott C. Anderson on January 10, 2023

New research shows that gut microbes can help or hinder weight gain. Some simple changes to your diet can improve your odds.

New research shows that gut microbes can help or hinder weight gain. Some simple changes to your diet can improve your odds.

Forgiveness

Not Motivated to Exercise? Your Gut Microbes May Be to Blame

Scott C. Anderson on December 15, 2022

Are you having a hard time getting off the couch? Your gut microbes may be holding you back. Some simple dietary changes can motivate you to get some exercise.

Are you having a hard time getting off the couch? Your gut microbes may be holding you back. Some simple dietary changes can motivate you to get some exercise.

Diet

Can a Diet Reduce Your Stress?

Scott C. Anderson on November 9, 2022

A new study shows that your levels of perceived stress can be improved with a specific, Mediterranean-style diet. This is how.

A new study shows that your levels of perceived stress can be improved with a specific, Mediterranean-style diet. This is how.

Diet

Healthy Sweeteners and the Gut-Brain Axis

Scott C. Anderson on October 5, 2022

There are hundreds of sweeteners to choose from, and some of them may actually be good for your mood and cognition.

There are hundreds of sweeteners to choose from, and some of them may actually be good for your mood and cognition.

Depression

Sweeteners and the Gut–Brain Axis

Scott C. Anderson on September 15, 2022

We know about the dangers of sugar, but artificial sweeteners may also affect our health and our mood via gut microbes.

We know about the dangers of sugar, but artificial sweeteners may also affect our health and our mood via gut microbes.

SSRIs

Why Antidepressants and Probiotics Could Be a Potent Pairing

Scott C. Anderson on August 28, 2022

Psychobiotics, microbes that can improve your mood, may not be ready to replace antidepressants, but they work well as an adjunct.

Psychobiotics, microbes that can improve your mood, may not be ready to replace antidepressants, but they work well as an adjunct.

SSRIs

The Serotonin Hypothesis and the Gut-Brain Axis

Scott C. Anderson on August 3, 2022

SSRIs are coming in for criticism lately, but the situation is more complicated than it first looks—and it involves gut microbes.

SSRIs are coming in for criticism lately, but the situation is more complicated than it first looks—and it involves gut microbes.

Diet

The Microbial Heroes of the Gut-Brain Axis

Scott C. Anderson on July 18, 2022

There are thousands of bacterial species living in your gut, but two genera have special psychoactive properties. Learn how to boost their numbers in your diet.

There are thousands of bacterial species living in your gut, but two genera have special psychoactive properties. Learn how to boost their numbers in your diet.

Diet

Say Hello to the Human Virome

Scott C. Anderson on June 13, 2022

Viruses are the most populous creatures living in your gut, but we know shockingly little about them—even though they can affect your mood and cognition.

Viruses are the most populous creatures living in your gut, but we know shockingly little about them—even though they can affect your mood and cognition.

Diet

What Is the Diversity Diet?

Scott C. Anderson on May 29, 2022

Your gut microbiota is an ecosystem that works best when it is rich in diverse microbes. Learn how to support a healthy gut with a diversity diet.

Your gut microbiota is an ecosystem that works best when it is rich in diverse microbes. Learn how to support a healthy gut with a diversity diet.

Diet

What’s Wrong with the Keto Diet, and How to Fix It

Scott C. Anderson on April 27, 2022

The keto diet may help with epilepsy and metabolic syndrome, but it can also affect mood and cognition. Learn how to fix the potential problems of the diet.

The keto diet may help with epilepsy and metabolic syndrome, but it can also affect mood and cognition. Learn how to fix the potential problems of the diet.

Diet

Do These Genes Make Me Look Fat?

Scott C. Anderson on March 29, 2022

Genes can contribute to obesity, but, surprisingly, most of our genes come from our gut bacteria—and those we can control.

Genes can contribute to obesity, but, surprisingly, most of our genes come from our gut bacteria—and those we can control.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Gut Microbes May Help Fight Long COVID

Scott C. Anderson on February 22, 2022

Research shows that our gut microbes are able to kill viruses, which might lessen symptoms of COVID and its aftermath. Better yet, you can help with this process.

Research shows that our gut microbes are able to kill viruses, which might lessen symptoms of COVID and its aftermath. Better yet, you can help with this process.

Depression

Psychobiotics Get Real: A Case Study

Scott C. Anderson on January 19, 2022

Psychobiotics are a class of probiotics and prebiotics that can improve mood and cognition. They are here, and they are working for some psychiatric patients.

Psychobiotics are a class of probiotics and prebiotics that can improve mood and cognition. They are here, and they are working for some psychiatric patients.