Blame my bacteria not me

[principled]

I've just come across a bit of research that seems to indicate that gut bacteria play a role in behaviour. I suppose that this is not surprising because, I believe, the gut does provide the brain with some hormones. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if anyone uses their bacteria to excuse anti-social behaviour!
A summary of the interesting research is here:
www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/gut-bacteria-behavior-irritable-bowel-syndrome-depression-anxiety-antibiotics-probiotics-1532/

P

[nickrr]

I've just come across a bit of research that seems to indicate that gut bacteria play a role in behaviour.

There are also various parasites which alter their hosts behaviour for their own purposes. Here's a particularly grizzly one:

neurophilosophy.wordpress.com/2006/11/20/brainwashed-by-a-parasite/

[principled]

Thanks for that.

I would love to send it to my daughter (she hates creepy crawlies!) but her computer is down at the moment. She's in Canada and went walking with the family at the weekend, none of whom noticed the ticks around. On getting home, one had started to borrow into her husband's leg. Unfortunately, some of the ticks carry Lyme disease, so all ticks removed from the skin have to be kept in a jar until the incubation period for the disease has passed. This helps the gov. track infected ticks. She's now says she's looking forward to the winter!!!
www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/id-mi/tickinfo-eng.php

P
BTW, I heard on a science podcast this week that the total weight of bacteria in our bodies equals the weight of our own cells. Have you heard this?

[marchesarosa]

The evolution of symbiotic life is totally mind-blowing!

[nickrr]

BTW, I heard on a science podcast this week that the total weight of bacteria in our bodies equals the weight of our own cells. Have you heard this?

It wouldn't surprise me. The difference is even greater if you just count the numbers - I believe that our bodies contain about 10 times as many bacterial cells as human cells, so by cell count we are 90% bacteria!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_microbiome

[StuartG]

"Don't drink bacteria."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZQJ-JV-B-A