Mood by Microbe

Dispatches from the Psychobiotic Revolution

Scent
The Nose-Brain Axis: How Smell Shapes Mood and Memory

Scott C. Anderson on June 8, 2026

Your nose has its own microbiome, and it has a major impact on your brain. Here are some tips for keeping it in good shape to improve your mood and cognition.

Your nose has its own microbiome, and it has a major impact on your brain. Here are some tips for keeping it in good shape to improve your mood and cognition.

Gut-Brain Axis
A Gut-Brain Axis Discovery: The Role of the Interstitium

Scott C. Anderson on May 26, 2026

A new, body-wide tissue has been discovered that may provide a new pathway for the gut-brain axis. Surprisingly, it may help to explain aspects of traditional Chinese medicine.

A new, body-wide tissue has been discovered that may provide a new pathway for the gut-brain axis. Surprisingly, it may help to explain aspects of traditional Chinese medicine.

Microbiome
Even Minor Head Injuries Affect Your Microbiome

Scott C. Anderson on May 18, 2026

Brain injuries, even mild ones, can have lingering effects due to a secondary impact on the gut microbiome. Read this to learn how to heal better and faster from head trauma.

Brain injuries, even mild ones, can have lingering effects due to a secondary impact on the gut microbiome. Read this to learn how to heal better and faster from head trauma.

Gut-Brain Axis
Can Gut Microbes Repair Damage from Microplastics?

Scott C. Anderson on May 13, 2026

Plastics are everywhere, and evidence is accumulating that they can affect our mood and cognition. The solution may lie in the gut, not the brain, according to new research.

Plastics are everywhere, and evidence is accumulating that they can affect our mood and cognition. The solution may lie in the gut, not the brain, according to new research.

Suicide
A Microbial Signature for Suicidal Tendencies

Scott C. Anderson on April 29, 2026

There are many reasons for suicidal tendencies, but one of them is under our control: Our diet can improve gut integrity, reduce inflammation, and improve mood. Here’s how.

There are many reasons for suicidal tendencies, but one of them is under our control: Our diet can improve gut integrity, reduce inflammation, and improve mood. Here’s how.

Health
The Fountain of Youth Lies Over Your Heart

Scott C. Anderson on March 26, 2026

The thymus gland is an important part of your immune system that works into old age, and is important for preventing disease and autoimmunity. Learn how to keep it healthy.

The thymus gland is an important part of your immune system that works into old age, and is important for preventing disease and autoimmunity. Learn how to keep it healthy.

Microbiome
The Suprising Link Between Erectile Dysfunction and the Gut

Scott C. Anderson on March 17, 2026

Erectile dysfunction has many causes, but among them is gut dysbiosis: an unbalanced microbiome. That means we may be able to help by changing diet or with fecal transplants.

Erectile dysfunction has many causes, but among them is gut dysbiosis: an unbalanced microbiome. That means we may be able to help by changing diet or with fecal transplants.

Autism
Is the Gut-Autism Link Overblown?

Scott C. Anderson on February 27, 2026

Despite the naysayers, research into the gut-autism axis is producing useful results and helping kids with autism feel less anxious. We need more research, not less.

Despite the naysayers, research into the gut-autism axis is producing useful results and helping kids with autism feel less anxious. We need more research, not less.

Health
How Probiotics Reduce Inflammation

Scott C. Anderson on January 13, 2026

Probiotics are microbes that pacify your immune system and prevent the collateral damage from an overactive inflammatory response. Here’s how to put them to work.

Probiotics are microbes that pacify your immune system and prevent the collateral damage from an overactive inflammatory response. Here’s how to put them to work.

Genetics
Psychiatric Disorders Have a Genetic Component. Now What?

Scott C. Anderson on December 30, 2025

A recent study finds that certain psychiatric disorders have considerable genetic overlap. But these genes aren’t the whole story; you have a say in what they do.

A recent study finds that certain psychiatric disorders have considerable genetic overlap. But these genes aren’t the whole story; you have a say in what they do.

Stress
Breathing for Stress Relief

Scott C. Anderson on December 20, 2025

A simple breathing technique can improve your cortisol levels, boost your resilience, and even help your gut microbiome.

A simple breathing technique can improve your cortisol levels, boost your resilience, and even help your gut microbiome.

Personality
Do Gut Microbes Affect Your Personality?

Scott C. Anderson on November 12, 2025

Do you want to be less anxious or more cheerful? Emerging research points to the role of gut microbes in defining your personality. Here’s how to take advantage of the discovery.

Do you want to be less anxious or more cheerful? Emerging research points to the role of gut microbes in defining your personality. Here’s how to take advantage of the discovery.

ADHD
The Intriguing Connection Between ADHD and Your Gut

Scott C. Anderson on October 13, 2025

New research finds that certain gut microbes are associated with ADHD. That's good news, because it means that changing your diet could help you manage your symptoms. Here's what we know.

New research finds that certain gut microbes are associated with ADHD. That's good news, because it means that changing your diet could help you manage your symptoms. Here's what we know.

Diet
The Dark(er) Side of Ultra-Processed Foods

Scott C. Anderson on September 29, 2025

Researchers say ultra-processed foods can be addictive. Worse yet, they are lacking in fiber, which can have an unexpected effect on the country's health.

Researchers say ultra-processed foods can be addictive. Worse yet, they are lacking in fiber, which can have an unexpected effect on the country's health.

Microbiome
Could Mozart Change Your Microbes?

Scott C. Anderson on August 18, 2025

We know music has an impact on our mood, but strangely enough, it also appears to change our gut microbes. Here's what we've learned.

We know music has an impact on our mood, but strangely enough, it also appears to change our gut microbes. Here's what we've learned.

Pregnancy
Pregnant Moms Need Pampering

Scott C. Anderson on July 29, 2025

Pregnant mothers, like all of us, are stressed by modern life. This can have a long-term impact on their kids. Here are some tips for mitigating the stress.

Pregnant mothers, like all of us, are stressed by modern life. This can have a long-term impact on their kids. Here are some tips for mitigating the stress.

OCD
Do Gut Bacteria Contribute to OCD?

Scott C. Anderson on June 25, 2025

Gut microbes are involved in brain health via the gut-brain axis. New research shows they are also involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Diet might help manage symptoms.

Gut microbes are involved in brain health via the gut-brain axis. New research shows they are also involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Diet might help manage symptoms.

Back
Back
Find a Therapist
Back
Get Help
Back
Magazine
May 2026 magazine cover
May 2026
The Best Ways to Begin Again

The best way to begin something new—in love, work, and life.

Subscribe Issue Archive
Back
Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

Self Assessments
Quizzes