Happiness & Public Policy

This is weird:

Exposure to a type of bacteria found in soil boosts happiness levels and could help restore healthy immune functions in people who are depressed and prone to infection, says a study.

British scientists led by Chris Lowry at Bristol University treated lung cancer patients with the bacteria, named ‘bacterium Mycobacterium vaccae’, and found improvement in their quality of life, reported the online edition of BBC News.

However, they said more work is needed to determine if the bacteria has anti-depressant properties through activation of serotonin neurons - a chemical in the brain that helps maintain a ‘happy feeling’, and seems to help keep our moods under control by helping with sleep, calming anxiety and relieving depression.

Seems low-effort enough. Let’s get dirty!