From: "Mark" 

Sorry Rich, my "makes sense" was supposed to agree with the new
findings cited. 

"Rich Gauszka"  wrote in
message news:461073f4$1{at}w3.nls.net...
>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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