Can getting dirty lift your mood?
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."










Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-05-2007 @ 8:43PM
JT said...
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!
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4-05-2007 @ 9:21PM
Jerry Baker said...
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
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4-05-2007 @ 9:44PM
Sharona said...
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.
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4-05-2007 @ 10:09PM
robin said...
No wonder I feel depressed. I moved to a city from the country. There is no dirt here to play in.
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4-05-2007 @ 10:13PM
margaret de graf said...
" 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
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4-05-2007 @ 10:26PM
Lori Worden said...
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.
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4-05-2007 @ 10:46PM
DENISE said...
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.
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4-05-2007 @ 10:47PM
matt3946 said...
Dirt sure does make my kid happy.
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4-05-2007 @ 10:56PM
Lori Worden said...
Ooops..... Basic = Basil (in above post).
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4-05-2007 @ 11:01PM
ED said...
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
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4-05-2007 @ 11:22PM
DCL said...
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!!
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4-05-2007 @ 11:22PM
JT said...
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!
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4-06-2007 @ 12:10AM
Teacher said...
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!!!
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4-06-2007 @ 12:13AM
L said...
Sot here is truth to the saying "happy as a pig in the mud" who knew!
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4-06-2007 @ 12:47AM
Gare said...
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.
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4-06-2007 @ 1:08AM
sis said...
playing in the mud and making mud pies has always been one of my favorite things to do.
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4-06-2007 @ 1:47AM
Anne said...
Just ask any dog who digs a hole. Happy and content! ANd able to learn a new trick in 15 minutes flat!
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4-06-2007 @ 3:48AM
cm said...
my Dad has always gardened. Lots of labor, i said.
He replied that it is a relaxation thing for him. And now that i have had a yard to work for the past 10 yrs. i see what he means. Now i know the why of it. As a toddler my Mom couldnt keep me out of the potted plants dirt. Later the mud pies and gutter water from a hard rain pleased me too.
Read a story of a very preemie baby girl not expected to make it. Her mom prayed for God to hold her as she herself couldnt due to her baby's fragile condition.She had strong will and did survive.
Normal and healthy. At age 3 or 4 she was at her brothers ball game when a rain hit suddenly. Quickly ended and as she sat in Mom's lap she had a light in her eyes as she looked up, sniffing the air and said. That's so nice. It is the smell of God, when he held me. How awesome!
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4-06-2007 @ 6:28AM
Shonda Thornhill said...
I have always been a "mud-bug". From the time I was 2, planting acorns and sunflower seeds were my favorite pasttimes. My close friends are garden nuts and all of us feel better after playing in the dirt for a while-how nice to know it has this effect on everyone!
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4-06-2007 @ 10:20AM
cheryl said...
ever see a depressed pig?
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