[Homestead] Do it in the dirt and be happier

Gene GeRue genegerue at ruralize.com
Fri Feb 1 19:54:07 EST 2008


Yet more proof that gardeners have an edge on health: researchers at  
Bristol University found that the bacterium Mycobacterium vaccae  
increases serotonin levels in the brain. You guessed it, the stuff is  
found in dirt.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6509781.stm

Serotonin is pretty good stuff to have coursing through our bodies.  
"Apart from having a range of pharmacological actions, serotonin  
constricts blood vessels, sends messages between cells in the brain  
and within the central nervous system, regulates secretion of  
digestive juices, and helps to control the passage of food through the  
gut. . . . Low levels of serotonin are linked with a number of  
disorders including aggression, anxiety, depression, obsessive  
compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, irritable bowel and  
fibromyalgia."

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/66840.php

Know anybody who could use a good dirt bath?


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