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Loading...Breathing Dirt May Make You Smarter
- Megan, selected from Mother Nature Network
- May 28, 2010
- 3:04 pm
- 125 comments
Spending time outdoors has always offered health benefits for the body and the mind: fresh air, clean water, awe-inspiring vistas, peaceful quietude. Now, it turns out, even the dirt is good for you.
Scientists at the Sage Colleges of Troy, N.Y., have discovered that exposure to certain kinds of soil bacteria can reduce anxiety and increase learning capabilities when ingested or inhaled, reports Physorg.com. (Dirt may actually make you smarter!)
The amazing bacterium in question is Mycobacterium vaccae, which occurs naturally in soil and is often breathed in innocuously when people spend time in nature. Previous studies had revealed that when the bacteria is injected into mice, it stimulates neuron growth and causes serotonin levels to increase. Since increased serotonin levels are known to decrease anxiety, researchers already suspected that the bacteria could have antidepressant benefits.
But decreased anxiety isn’t the only effect of increased serotonin, and researchers wanted to investigate further. “Since serotonin plays a role in learning, we wondered if live M. vaccae could improve learning in mice,” said Dorothy Matthews, who conducted the research.
After feeding the live bacteria to a group of mice, Matthews and her colleague Susan Jenks subjected the mice to a test of wits with a control group by having them run a maze.
“We found that mice that were fed live M. vaccae navigated the maze twice as fast and with less demonstrated anxiety behaviors as control mice,” said Matthews.
Two subsequent experiments revealed that the mice fed the bacteria still ran the maze slightly faster than the control group once the bacteria was withheld from their diet, but the effect did not last for long — meaning the effect was a result of the presence of M. vaccae. If the bacteria had a similar effect on humans, it could mean that spending periods of time outdoors would need to be part of a regular routine for maximum neurological benefit.
“It is interesting to speculate that creating learning environments in schools that include time in the outdoors where M. vaccae is present may decrease anxiety and improve the ability to learn new tasks,” noted Matthews.
More from MNN:
FDA considers female Viagra
5 summertime first-aid essentials
9 eco-friendly diets
Read more: Health, Nature, anxiety, dirt, intelligence
By Bryan Nelson, MNN
Megan, selected from Mother Nature Network
Mother Nature Network's mission is to help you improve your world. From covering the latest news on health, science, sustainable business practices and the latest trends in eco-friendly technology, MNN.com strives to give you the accurate, unbiased information you need to improve your world locally, globally, and personally – all in a distinctive thoughtful, straightforward, and fun style.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
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people are talking
Yes, it is effective!
Thank-you. Your gut will tell you if there's danger. Listen to the clues, and let love guide you ins…
ty
They sound lovely will try them.
Thank you for sharing.
125 comments
+ add your ownI'm off out to snuffle the ground!
How very interesting, although I really can't see myself go around inhaling dirt...
Megan, I love your articles. They are always thoughtful and unusal.
thanks!
I always feel much better out in nature but it is not safe for me alone
Great article.Thanks for sharing!
thanks for info
That would explain why us gardeners tend to have a bit more common sense and be more easygoing than people who never step outside! Truly an interesting read. ^_^
thanks
thanks for info
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