How Gut Bacteria 'Talks' to Your Brain Might Affect Your Mood, Memory, and More

How Gut Bacteria 'Talks' to Your Brain Might Affect Your Mood, Memory, and More - Science in the News

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

By Amber Bennett

You likely know that your brain "talks" to your belly via electrical and chemical signals to control bodily tasks, such as digestion. But did you know that your belly talks back?

How the Brain Talks to the Belly

The brain sends electrical signals to the belly through the vagus nerve. It also sends chemical signals (hormones) through the bloodstream. These signals are what make us feel full or hungry. Plus, they determine how quickly we digest food.

How the Belly Talks Back

Did you know that your digestive process is helped along by microbes in your stomach and intestines? These microorganisms take in food and release waste molecules, which act as chemical signals that "talk" to organs throughout the body.

For example, microbial signals sent to the immune system can help prevent infections. Signals are also sent along the vagus nerve and in the bloodstream. Some of these messages are sent to the brain and can impact your mood and even your memory.

What About Probiotics?

As a result of research into how the microbiome works, scientists have created a variety of probiotics, microbes you can ingest. Although the labels on probiotic products make many claims, human trials into their effectiveness are just getting underway.

If you want to nourish your microbiome, scientists say the best way is to eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Go figure.

Want to learn more? Check out this article in Science News for Students.

Comments

Why Do They Do That? The Physics Behind 3 Famous Animal Behaviors

By Amber Bennett Have you ever wondered about the origins of the phrase, "get your ducks in a row"? What about how the "doggy paddle" works or why squirrels are such amazing jumpers? The answers to all of these questions have one thing in common: physics. Keep reading to learn about the science behind these three famous animal behaviors. How Do Squirrels Leap from Branch to Branch? A squirrel leaps through the air. Photo Credit: caroline legg , CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons The death-defying acrobatic maneuvers performed by squirrels look a lot like parkour tricks. But how do they know how to land tricky jumps between bendy tree branches that move with the wind? Researchers say it's a combination of learned behavior (practice makes perfect) and inherited adaptations. To see what determines how far a squirrel is willing to jump and how the leaps are timed, researchers set up an obstacle course in an artificial forest. Then, they used peanuts ...

3 Easy Science Experiments to Do with Your Kids

By Amber Bennett Strong STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills set kids up to succeed both in school and later in life. Encouraging them to be interested in these subjects is easier than you might think, especially if you start when they're young. Activities that encourage children to be curious and creative will spark a love of learning. Plus, science experiments and other hands-on STEM projects are a fun way to bond with your kids. Here are three easy science experiments that preschoolers and early elementary students will enjoy. 1. Leakproof Plastic Bag A (age 5) doing the leakproof plastic bag experiment. Our preschooler loves to do any experiment that involves water. I can give her a couple of beakers, and she'll happily pour water back and forth between them, especially if I put a few drops of food coloring in each beaker so she can mix the colors. Another great activity that involves water is the leakproof plastic bag. All you need are: Large p...

How Virtual Currency Mining Is Hurting the Environment - Science in the News

Datacenters used for cryptocurrency mining use a lot of energy. By Amber Bennett Although cryptocurrencies are virtual, they are having a tangible impact on our environment. Research shows that cryptocurrencies actually are worse for the earth than other types of money. So, why is that? Simply put, it's because of the resources needed to run the supercomputers that mine Bitcoin and other virtual currencies. Energy Use The datacenters used for mining use large amounts of electricity. For example, the global Bitcoin network uses more energy than entire countries . In fact, according to the University of Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index , the network's power demand is the same as more than 14 million typical American homes. Most of the energy used in the datacenters comes from fossil fuels instead of renewable resources. Plus, datacenters' high energy use can destabilize the electric grid. Materials Mining Another way that cryptocurrency impacts the environme...

Bennett Science Blog

Search This Blog