Can getting dirty lift your mood?

Posted on Apr 2nd 2007 12:00PM by Bethany Sanders

Filed Under: Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation

Just in time for spring gardening comes this headline: A recent study found that the bacteria Mycobacterium accae, commonly found in soil, increased serotonin levels in the brains of mice. A lack of serotonin is thought to cause depression in humans. Researchers became interested in the bacteria after cancer patients being treated with it began unexpectedly reporting lifted moods and better quality of life.

The study was small, but researchers hope to look into the connection between the bacteria, healthy immune systems and depression to find out if there would be benefit from developing treatment options from this or other kinds of bacteria. Gardeners already know that digging in the dirt and soaking up the springtime sunshine make them feel happy and rejuvenated, but as Dr. Chris Lowry -- lead author of this study -- says, "They (these studies) leave us wondering if we all shouldn't be spending more time playing in the dirt."

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Tags: depression and immune function, DepressionAndImmuneFunction, Dr. Chris Lowry, Dr.ChrisLowry, Mycobacterium accae, MycobacteriumAccae, serotonin

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

JT 4-05-2007 @ 11:22PM

People who garden, ride dirt bikes, mud boggers and any one else who plays in the dirt are among the happiest people I know. So the message is: Play dirty..be happy!

JT 4-05-2007 @ 8:43PM

people who garden, ride dirt bikes, mud boggers and any one else who plays in the dirt are among the happiest people I know. So the message is: Play dirty...be happy!

Jerry Baker 4-05-2007 @ 9:21PM

I agree that dirty hands can relive stress and reduce fatigue. My many years of gardening for pleasure and performing to educating the pastime of gardening for improving both mental and physical prove it time after time.
Jerry Baker .com

Sharona 4-05-2007 @ 9:44PM

Whenever I garden I mentally put things in order. It is a process of making something happen from a tiny seed. Some of my best ideas have come this way and problems been solved. While I was not thinking of them. Not to mention the granddaughter thinks its just great to steal fresh food from the garden. Yes It is a stress releiver. We laugh a lot while we garden as a family.

robin 4-05-2007 @ 10:09PM

No wonder I feel depressed. I moved to a city from the country. There is no dirt here to play in.

margaret de graf 4-05-2007 @ 10:13PM

" The kiss of the "son" for pardon
The song of the bird for mirth;
One is nearer God's Heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth."

I like to eat mostly the foods mentioned
in Deuteronomy 8:8

Lori Worden 4-05-2007 @ 10:26PM

If you live in the city (or have an apartment), why not have potted plants or a window garden? I wonder if the bacterial mood-lifting benefits would be in a bag of soil from the store? If you have a friend or relative in the country (or just with a home nearby), you could get some of the dirt from their yard.

I absolutely LOVE getting a handful of soil and holding it to my nose to smell it. (That and the smell of basic, and I'm in heaven!) I used to do this all the time when I was gardening. It really does make you feel good for some reason.

Lori Worden 4-05-2007 @ 10:56PM

Ooops..... Basic = Basil (in above post).

matt3946 4-05-2007 @ 10:47PM

Dirt sure does make my kid happy.

DENISE 4-05-2007 @ 10:46PM

I TRULY BELIEVE THAT WORKING IN DIRT HANDS ON MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD AND AT PEACE WHEN GARDENING OR SOME OUTDOOR JOBS WITHOUT GLOVES. I HAVE FRIENDS THAT ARE SURPRISED THAT MY HANDS ALWAYS ARE SOFT TO THE TOUCH.AND I FEEL SO ENERGIZED WORKNG WITH DIRT WITH MY HANDS. ALSO MY THOUGHTS ARE RELAXING.

ED 4-05-2007 @ 11:01PM

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I ALWAYS FELT BETTER WHEN I WAS GARDENING AND ON THE LIGHTER SIDE WHEN I SEE WOMEN MUD WRESTLING IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD STLL

cheryl 4-06-2007 @ 10:20AM

ever see a depressed pig?

DCL 4-05-2007 @ 11:22PM

I always garden without gloves on. I need to feel the dirt. It helps me take care of the plants and I guess it helps me to take care of me, too!
Lori - I love the basil too!!

Gare 4-06-2007 @ 12:47AM

I was raised by farmers and I always hated working the soil. I avoided planting and harvesting anyway I could. If working the dirt helps others, more power to it. but give me concrete of Manhattan anyday.

Teacher 4-06-2007 @ 12:10AM

This week is spring break and I have played in the dirt all week long. I love the time and agree that it is relaxing when I work in my yard and garden. So bring on the "seratonin" as I feel wonderful!!!

L 4-06-2007 @ 12:13AM

Sot here is truth to the saying "happy as a pig in the mud" who knew!

Paul 4-10-2007 @ 11:07PM

I worked in a county park as a grounds keeper for a season & part of the next season & loved it.
The fresh air, sunshine, excercise, talking to people, finding fishing tackle all over the place, making a park look it's best, ect all while being paid.
The pay was only $5.50 an hour & it was a seasonal job but I loved it.
I trimed down, firmed up, toned, & even tanned a little.
My late brother & his ex & their kids were the happiest people on the planet when they had their farm. It was only 10 acres but that didn't matter to them.
My grandparents had 10 acres, they leased most of it to a neighbor to farm & the rest of it was their yard.
It looked like a park also.
They had a vegatable garden, flowers, srubs, bushes, trees, & house plants, all that they just adored.
I mowed that 2 acre yard many times & enjoyed every minute of it.
We had many enjoyable picnics in that yard w/family & friends over.
I am considering getting back into gardening.
Thanks for the tip. Paul

sis 4-06-2007 @ 1:08AM

playing in the mud and making mud pies has always been one of my favorite things to do.

Anne 4-06-2007 @ 1:47AM

Just ask any dog who digs a hole. Happy and content! ANd able to learn a new trick in 15 minutes flat!

Gayle 4-10-2007 @ 1:21AM

I absolutely love being outside ... a definate feeling of oneness with nature; very meditative to me. I love working in my yard .. love the dirt.... used to even walk barefoot in it!! No gloves, no shoes!! A word of warning here, however. There are many ... many(!) types of of insects, bacterium ... PARASITES found in soil that enjoy human hosts ~ yes, here... there... just about everywhere in the U.S. So, please.......please(!) enjoy the outdoors and all the beauty nature has to offer... but... lest you enjoy being feasted upon, I would suggest socks, shoes AND gloves!!

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