TED Health Do gut microbes control your personality? | Kathleen McAuliffe
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Dec 3, 2024 Science journalist Kathleen McAuliffe explores the remarkable influence gut microbes have on our personality and neurological health. She delves into research demonstrating how gut bacteria can impact mood, decision-making, and even learning. Interesting studies show the gut-brain connection, highlighting potential treatments for neurological disorders like autism and Parkinson's. McAuliffe emphasizes how our microbial makeup shapes who we are, sparking a new understanding of mental health and disease origins.
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Microbial Influence
- Humans are not solely in control of their decisions.
- Trillions of microorganisms, known as the microbiota, influence our actions.
Bubble Mice Experiment
- Bubble mice, raised without microbes, exhibit behavioral differences from normal mice.
- Colonizing bubble mice with normal microbiota normalizes their behavior.
Twin Bacteria Experiment
- Gut bacteria from overweight twins transferred to mice cause weight gain.
- Similar transfers from thin twins do not cause weight gain in mice.