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"Our happiness is in the belly": Can microbes influence mood?


"Tell me what you eat, and I'll tell you if you're happy": Animal studies suggest that the gut "communicates" with the brain through microbes, which can cause anxiety and stress. But how does the microbiota affect human emotional states? Can food actually boost mood?

Debates about whether we can influence our mental state by choosing certain foods continue to this day. Chocolate and noodles are considered "happy foods," but logically, fish with its omega-3 fatty acids should protect against depressive states. Still, without conclusive proof, we continue consuming large quantities of chocolate to feel bursts of joy.

The fact that gut flora influences not only human health but also emotional states can be supported by the observation that many patients with gastrointestinal problems suffer from mental disorders. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is found in about 50% of patients with depression and anxiety, and gut issues are often present in those with autism.
The Bridge Between the Gut and the Brain
It has long been known that bacterial infections can affect mood. This influence is mediated through the immune system: inflammatory markers like cytokines, which help transmit signals and are involved in immune function, are activated, intensifying symptoms of depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue. However, some researchers, including Dr. Mark Lit from the University of Texas, believe microbes might influence the brain in another way. He administered small doses of a diarrhea pathogen to mice, and the body responded without showing any infection symptoms. Lit attributes this transfer of information to the vagus nerve.

This process involves the limbic system, which is responsible for processing emotions. The vagus nerve connects the brain to the gut via efferent (centrifugal) fibers sending signals from the brain to the digestive tract, while afferent (centripetal) nerve bundles transmit information from the gut "up." The limbic system is heavily involved in these processes.

In a recent experiment, researcher Melanie Klarer from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich severed the afferent connections in mice. She then created a situation causing anxiety and stress—an intensely lit cage with no shelter. The mice, however, became more fearless. "It seems that signals from the stomach to the brain influence innate fear responses," explains co-author Urs Meyer.

The Courageous Bacteria
Immunologist Sven Pettersson from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm spent several years studying the effects of bacteria on brain biochemistry in mice. He compared sterile (germ-free) mice with normal mice. It turned out that sterile animals were more active and brave. This trait could be altered—though only in young mice, not adults—by "colonizing" them with bacteria. "There might be a window of time during which bacterial colonization has a long-term effect on the brain," says the scientist. Simultaneously, Pettersson researched the genes that play a role in anxiety expression: they were suppressed in sterile mice.

Pathogens and Some Medications
Certain substances may penetrate the bloodstream and brain through the intestinal barrier, changing a person's condition. For instance, physical exertion, pathogens, and medications like ibuprofen can increase intestinal permeability. This allows more "harmful bacteria" to disturb the immune system and influence the brain.

While the idea that unhealthy eating or wheat's gluten components make the gut wall more permeable remains unproven, proponents of the "leaky gut syndrome" suggest that this systemic inflammation leads to a variety of diseases, such as food allergies, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, autoimmune disorders, skin diseases, and autism. There have even been reports of gluten-induced hallucinations, schizophrenia, and psychosis. However, there is no scientific proof that avoiding gluten and certain additives relieves these conditions.

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PUT IN MORE EFFORT

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Knowledge and Wisdom

The master believed that a person should acquire both knowledge and wisdom. When he was asked what the difference was, he replied:

— Knowledge is gained by reading books and attending lectures, but wisdom comes from reading the book that is yourself.

Later, he added:

— But this is not a simple task: every passing minute, life presents a new edition.

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Late virginity – a reason for complexes?

Virginity can be lost easily and without hesitation, or it can be preserved for many years. But is there a pathology in keeping it into adulthood?

Society has a certain attitude toward early sexual experiences, shaped by life rhythms and morality. However, when a person, for various reasons, keeps their virginity as an adult, is there a problem? Is it an extreme, an eccentricity, or just a normal variation?

People who refuse to engage in intimate relationships evoke a wide range of emotions. Often, respect for their choice is overshadowed by confusion, surprise, and distrust. And the gender does not matter here—both men and women can be subject to the same judgments. Why does this happen, and how does it affect those who have chosen this path?

Researchers led by medical professor Michael Eisenberg from Stanford University analyzed survey data from 2,469 men and 5,120 women aged 25 to 45. Among them, 13.9% of men and 8.9% of women reported that they had never had sexual intercourse.

Two main factors associated with this choice were identified: religiosity (regardless of faith) and abstinence from alcohol. In the case of women, there was also a correlation between higher education and the retention of virginity into adulthood.

Journalist and author of several bestsellers on sex, Michael Castleman, believes the true reasons lie in character. Those who maintain virginity in adulthood are often shy, awkward, and uncomfortable around the opposite sex. Emotional experiences in childhood also influence this choice.

Those who preferred solitude to playing with peers or who were rejected by the group and mocked by other children are more likely to retain virginity into adulthood.



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Modesty is the middle ground between shamelessness and shyness.
— Aristotle

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FOCUS YOUR MIND

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"To commit injustice is worse than to suffer it." — Plato ⚖️🕊

This wisdom highlights the moral weight of actions over experiences, emphasizing that integrity and justice define our character more than the trials we endure.

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Pigeons and Africa 🕊🌍

A woman loved feeding pigeons in the park. Every morning, she brought a loaf of warm bread and scattered crumbs around her until the whole loaf was gone. This went on for quite a while.

One day, a particularly conscientious citizen noticed her and said:
— You feed these disgusting birds with your crumbs, yet people are starving in Africa!

The woman looked up at him gently and replied:
— Well, I can’t quite throw my loaf all the way to Africa! 🍞✨

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A Wicked Person is Like a Scorpion 🦂

A wicked person is like a scorpion:
Watch out, they will sting in an instant,
Not because it’s needed, but simply because that’s how they’ve grown accustomed.

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