Flinders University experts are exploring evidence that microbes in the soil and the environments around us can affect human microbiota and the ‘gut-brain axis,’ potentially shaping emotional states and relationship dynamics – including aspects of romantic love.
Flinders University experts are exploring evidence that microbes in the soil and the environments around us can affect human microbiota and the ‘gut-brain axis,’ potentially shaping emotional states and relationship dynamics – including aspects of romantic love.
College of Science and Engineering biology researchers Dr Jake Robinson, Ondi Crino and Associate Professor Martin Breed, with UK neuroscientist Araceli Camargo, outline the idea in a review article proposing how the human gut microbiome might influence hormonal pathways involved in emotions commonly associated with love.
“We’re not claiming microbes ‘cause’ love,” says Dr Robinson. “Our aim is to map plausible biological routes, grounded in microbiology and endocrinology, that researchers can now evaluate with rigorous human studies.”
Read more at: Flanders University
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