Exposure to dirt may be a way to lift mood as well as boost the immune system, UK scientists say. Lung cancer patients treated with "friendly" bacteria normally found in the soil have reported improvements in their quality of life. Mice exposed to the same bacteria made more of the brain's "happy" chemical, serotonin, Bristol University authors told the journal Neuroscience.
Lead researcher Dr Chris Lowry said: 'These studies help us understand how the body communicates with the brain and why a healthy immune system is important for maintaining mental health. They also leave us wondering why we shouldn't all spend more time playing in the dirt!"
"The work could also help experts' understanding of why an imbalance in the immune system leaves some individuals vulnerable to mood disorders like depression", he added. Common antidepressants work by boosting serotonin, and a lack of it is linked with depression in people.
Canadian researchers have also been exploring the links between serotonin, mood and immunity. A team at Georgetown University Medical Center recently discovered serotonin is passed between key cells in the immune system, and that the chemical can activate an immune response. This suggests that serotonin may restore a healthy immune function in people who are depressed and prone to infections.
—An excerpt from BBC News
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