This past year my neighbors and I got together to take more compost at the Soundview compost giveback for our neglected outdoor areas around our building. I was shocked at how much fun we had - over dirt! Strangers and friends alike all had a good time.
And now Organic Gardening Magazine had a short blurb this month on why that dirt may have played a role in making us all so happy...
According to the article a common bacterium found in soil, Micobacterium vaccae, is already an effective vaccine for treating Leprosy and is being evaluated for its value in treating asthma, TB and cancer.
During a study with cancer patients being treated with M. vaccae the participants reported feeling inexplicably happy. As it turns out the bacterium causes the brain to release seratonin, which is a pleasure-inducing hormone and may have been responsible for the feeling of happiness.
So it might not be a coincidence when an afternoon in the garden makes someone happier!
matt at apartment therapy dot com
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
love this!
thx matt
view guido's profile
No wonder working in the soil on a warm summer day is such a wonderful feeling!
view kuroneko's profile
Good catch, Matt.
That's Mycobacterium vaccae, fyi. Here's a good BBC News story about it:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6509781.stm
view brooklyn-em's profile
Thank YOU for the catch, brooklyn-em - and the BBC link!
view mattplantguy's profile