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Mood by Microbe

Dispatches from the Psychobiotic Revolution

Addiction
Addiction and the Gut-Brain Axis

Scott C. Anderson on March 14, 2024

Addiction isn't a character flaw: Many cases may stem from an imbalance in gut microbes. This presents an opportunity to fix the behavior through diet.

Addiction isn't a character flaw: Many cases may stem from an imbalance in gut microbes. This presents an opportunity to fix the behavior through diet.

Gut-Brain Axis
Can Fiber Improve Cognition in the Elderly?

Scott C. Anderson on March 6, 2024

Cognitive decline with age doesn’t have to be inevitable. A good diet rich in dietary fiber and supplements can make a big difference. You can benefit at any age.

Cognitive decline with age doesn’t have to be inevitable. A good diet rich in dietary fiber and supplements can make a big difference. You can benefit at any age.

Microbiome
4 Ways Food Additives Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

Scott C. Anderson on February 27, 2024

Manufacturers have been using food additives for decades, and they may be contributing to the rise in chronic inflammation diseases. Here's how to fight back.

Manufacturers have been using food additives for decades, and they may be contributing to the rise in chronic inflammation diseases. Here's how to fight back.

Diet
How a Mediterranean Diet Can Help Fight Teen Depression

Scott C. Anderson on January 8, 2024

The Mediterranean diet helps our gut microbes fight inflammation, keeping our bodies and our minds healthy. A recent study showcases its mood-boosting effects.

The Mediterranean diet helps our gut microbes fight inflammation, keeping our bodies and our minds healthy. A recent study showcases its mood-boosting effects.

Diet
How a Diverse Gut Microbiota Keeps You Healthy

Scott C. Anderson on December 17, 2023

A diverse collection of microbes in our gut is a sign of health. A varied microbiota is more resilient to disease, and can even help maintain a good mood and peak cognition.

A diverse collection of microbes in our gut is a sign of health. A varied microbiota is more resilient to disease, and can even help maintain a good mood and peak cognition.

Diet
How Humans Got Their Big Brains

Scott C. Anderson on December 15, 2023

How did proto-humans manage to grow such big brains? The answer is surprising and may hold clues to our mental health.

How did proto-humans manage to grow such big brains? The answer is surprising and may hold clues to our mental health.

Microbiome
Why Do We Have a Microbiome?

Scott C. Anderson on December 7, 2023

Our gut contains a couple of pounds of microbes that play a vital role in bodily and mental health. Here's how to keep them happy.

Our gut contains a couple of pounds of microbes that play a vital role in bodily and mental health. Here's how to keep them happy.

Gut-Brain Axis
Have a Psychobiotic Thanksgiving

Scott C. Anderson on November 19, 2023

Thanksgiving can be stressful, and part of that lies in how we prepare the feast. Here are some tips for a healthier, happier holiday.

Thanksgiving can be stressful, and part of that lies in how we prepare the feast. Here are some tips for a healthier, happier holiday.

Microbiome
Can Gut Microbes Cause Aggression?

Scott C. Anderson on November 7, 2023

The science of the gut-brain axis shows how disturbed gut microbes can lead to bad moods and behaviors. Recent studies show that gut problems may also lead to aggressive behavior.

The science of the gut-brain axis shows how disturbed gut microbes can lead to bad moods and behaviors. Recent studies show that gut problems may also lead to aggressive behavior.

Diet
Teenage Angst and the Gut-Brain Axis

Scott C. Anderson on October 27, 2023

Teenagers have a lot to worry about, and much is out of their control. But they can build lasting resilience with some simple dietary changes.

Teenagers have a lot to worry about, and much is out of their control. But they can build lasting resilience with some simple dietary changes.

Diet
Does Alzheimer’s Start in the Gut?

Scott C. Anderson on October 19, 2023

Alzheimer’s may be caused by microbial imbalances in the gut. That’s good news because we can control our gut microbes.

Alzheimer’s may be caused by microbial imbalances in the gut. That’s good news because we can control our gut microbes.

Diet
This Is Your Brain on Junk Food

Scott C. Anderson on October 17, 2023

A new study finds junk food can alter your gut microbes, potentially leading to inflammation. That can affect both your mood and your cognition. Here's what to do to fix this.

A new study finds junk food can alter your gut microbes, potentially leading to inflammation. That can affect both your mood and your cognition. Here's what to do to fix this.

Anxiety
A Brief History of Psychobiotics

Scott C. Anderson on September 29, 2023

Psychobiotics are microbes that can improve your mood. The science is fascinating; the results are profound. Read about the first ten years of study.

Psychobiotics are microbes that can improve your mood. The science is fascinating; the results are profound. Read about the first ten years of study.

Microbiome
How to Recover From Antibiotics

Scott C. Anderson on September 7, 2023

Antibiotics can kill good gut bacteria along with the bad. This can lead to inflammation, anxiety, and depression. Speed up the recovery time with prebiotic fiber.

Antibiotics can kill good gut bacteria along with the bad. This can lead to inflammation, anxiety, and depression. Speed up the recovery time with prebiotic fiber.

Psychiatry
The 6 Secret Lessons of Nutritional Psychiatry

Scott C. Anderson on September 5, 2023

In 2010, Felice Jacka showed that nutrition can affect our mental health. That breakthrough is still being digested by psychiatry. Learn how to put it to use.

In 2010, Felice Jacka showed that nutrition can affect our mental health. That breakthrough is still being digested by psychiatry. Learn how to put it to use.

Dementia
Long-Term Heartburn Meds Associated With Dementia Risk

Scott C. Anderson on August 21, 2023

Proton-pump inhibitors are only meant as a temporary solution for ulcers and acid reflux. Using them for more than four years has been shown to increase the odds of dementia.

Proton-pump inhibitors are only meant as a temporary solution for ulcers and acid reflux. Using them for more than four years has been shown to increase the odds of dementia.

Addiction
Is Addiction Driven by the Gut Microbiome?

Scott C. Anderson on August 15, 2023

Addiction initiates a vicious cycle by unbalancing gut microbes. This causes depression and anxiety, setting the stage for further addictive behavior. Can we break the cycle?

Addiction initiates a vicious cycle by unbalancing gut microbes. This causes depression and anxiety, setting the stage for further addictive behavior. Can we break the cycle?

Microbiome
The Microbiome Conundrum

Scott C. Anderson on August 7, 2023

It can be tricky teasing apart cause and effect between the gut microbiome and the immune system. But you can still steer it in a healthy direction. Here's how.

It can be tricky teasing apart cause and effect between the gut microbiome and the immune system. But you can still steer it in a healthy direction. Here's how.