Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
05/04/2026 5:05 pm
Gardening is much more than just a hobby—it’s a biological interaction with the Earth that changes your brain chemistry.
There is a harmless, common bacterium found in soil called Mycobacterium vaccae.
The Serotonin Boost: When you garden, you inhale this bacteria or it gets onto your skin. Research shows it stimulates a specific group of neurons in your brain to produce Serotonin—the "feel-good" chemical.
Prozac of the Earth: Scientists have found that the effect of this soil bacteria on the brain is similar to antidepressant drugs like Prozac, but without any side effects.
Brain Power: In studies (like those by the University of Bristol, England), mice exposed to this bacteria showed reduced anxiety and a significantly higher ability to learn new tasks.
So folks, it is Spring. Time for gardening. Time to get dirty.
05/04/2026 5:16 pm
Interesting. Time to learn some new tasks.
05/04/2026 5:29 pm
Ha! Who knew??
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
05/04/2026 5:31 pm
Interesting info for sure. 🤔😊
05/04/2026 5:52 pm
Wow, smells to me as Mycobacterium nuntium falsum
which means, it doesn't pass the smell test.
05/04/2026 5:57 pm
Another educational post from Mr. Green.
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
05/04/2026 6:23 pm
Maybe we should nickname him “Mr.Greenjeans”.
I do know that even as a kid on my Dziadzia’s farm I loved the aroma of fresh cut lawn. Plus. It was a blast to power the riding lawnmower when I was 8yrs old.
Steve
06/04/2026 12:18 am
Well that's it then....no more baths for this cowboy.
06/04/2026 1:36 am
I've always hated gardening. Thirty some years ago, my then girlfriend bought a new home. She and I spent our weekends planting trees and shrubs. Our weekends and vacation time went from taking trips to digging in the dirt and mowing the lawn.
06/04/2026 5:45 am
I do garden but hate dirt under fingernails. How long do I have to keep that antidepressant under them? (Eww, this is depressing!)
06/04/2026 6:01 am
I love gardening and lawn care but I can't do as much as I did in the past. Now a lot of work is being done by my landscaping service. The joys of getting old.
John Bono
North Jersey
06/04/2026 7:59 am
I've never really been into gardening at all. Would it be OK if I just go outside and drag my fingers through the dirt now and then? And maybe sniff or lick my fingers afterwards, just for good measure?
Oh good. I feel more cheerful already.
Graeme.M. Ogg
London U.K.
06/04/2026 8:21 am
....guess I'll always be sad. 😔 😔 😕 I'll mess with anything, but I almost always wear gloves. I hate having dirty hands, etc.... Think I'm kidding? Every so often, I'll order a case of scented foaming soaps to distribute throughout the house; the latest shipment arrived 5 weeks ago. I do not like having dirty hands. 🙄
06/04/2026 8:37 am
I always wear gloves when doing yard work...and long sleeve shirts and long pants are part of the uniform of the day. Got to protect ones self from branches, thorns and poison ivy.....guess I'll always be sad. 😔 😔 😕 I'll mess with anything, but I almost always wear gloves. I hate having dirty hands, etc.... Think I'm kidding? Every so often, I'll order a case of scented foaming soaps to distribute throughout the house; the latest shipment arrived 5 weeks ago. I do not like having dirty hands. 🙄
John Bono
North Jersey
06/04/2026 9:30 am
I always wear gloves when doing yard work...and long sleeve shirts and long pants are part of the uniform of the day. Got to protect ones self from branches, thorns and poison ivy.....guess I'll always be sad. 😔 😔 😕 I'll mess with anything, but I almost always wear gloves. I hate having dirty hands, etc.... Think I'm kidding? Every so often, I'll order a case of scented foaming soaps to distribute throughout the house; the latest shipment arrived 5 weeks ago. I do not like having dirty hands. 🙄
I do the same and totally agree with you, John, and Chris!!
Page 1 / 2
Next