From: Rich Gauszka 

I had read articles before that mentioned the importance of playing in the
dirt to the development of a young child's immune system. This was the
first study I saw that mentioned dirt with serotonin and depression

Mark wrote:
> Makes sense, us slightly older people were happy as larks as kids, touching
> toads, capturing frogs, playing in clay, making dams, tasting rocks etc
> et.al.
>
> Today's kids have parents following them around with anti-bacterial wipes...
>
> "Rich Gauszka"  wrote in message
> news:46107176$1{at}w3.nls.net...
>> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6509781.stm
>>
>> Exposure to dirt may be a way to lift mood as well as boost the immune
>> system, UK scientists say.
>>
>> Lung cancer patients treated with "friendly" bacteria
normally found in
>> the soil have anecdotally reported improvements in their quality of life.
>>
>> Mice exposed to the same bacteria made more of the brain's "happy"
>> chemical serotonin, the Bristol University authors told the journal
>> Neuroscience.
>>
>> Common antidepressants work by boosting this brain chemical.
>>
>> A lack of serotonin is linked with depression in people.
>>
>> The scientists say more work is now needed to determine if the bacterium
>> Mycobacterium vaccae has antidepressant properties through activation of
>> serotonin neurons.
>>
>> Lead researcher Dr Chris Lowry said: "These studies help us
understand how
>> the body communicates with the brain and why a healthy immune system is
>> important for maintaining mental health.
>>
>> "They also leave us wondering if we shouldn't all spend more
time playing
>> in the dirt."
>>
>> The work could also help experts' understanding of why an imbalance in the
>> immune system leaves some individuals vulnerable to mood disorders like
>> depression, he added.
>>
>>
>>
>
>

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