Name: Do gut microbes control your personality?
Uploaded: 2024-01-22T15:55:39Z
Duration: 10 min 11 s
Description: Biologist Kathleen McAuliffe dives into new research that suggests certain bacteria in your gut can influence major parts of who you are, from your personality to life-changing neurological disorders. Learn more about how this emerging science could change how we treat disease — and discover the impact of your internal microbial makeup on your mood, weight and more.

Biologist Kathleen McAuliffe dives into new research that suggests certain bacteria in your gut can influence major parts of who you are, from your personality to life-changing neurological disorders. Learn more about how this emerging science could change how we treat disease — and discover the impact of your internal microbial makeup on your mood, weight and more.

Do gut microbes control your personality?

Gut microbes do far more than aid digestion; they can influence mood, memory, and even personality. Half the cells in the human body are not human but microbial, and their chemical signals travel to the brain, shaping behavior. Studies show that transferring gut bacteria can alter weight and trigger depressive symptoms in mice, and similar links exist for autism, ALS, and Parkinson's in humans. Groundbreaking research is uncovering new ways to treat neurological disorders by altering the gut’s microbial makeup.