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Neolithic Revolution birthed diseases
- The Neolithic Revolution enabled infectious diseases to cross from animals to humans due to settled farming and close animal contact.
- Dense populations and trade networks created conditions for pandemics like plague, smallpox, and measles to emerge and spread.
Humans part of microbial ecosystem
- History often views humans as protagonists on a stage, ignoring microbes' influence.
- It's more accurate to see humans as part of a natural ecosystem strongly shaped by microbes and climate.
Gut bacteria produce brain chemicals
- Belgian scientists found 90% of gut bacteria strains produce neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
- These bacteria may influence our brains to increase social behavior, aiding bacterial spread between humans.