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The Behavioral Microbiome

How microbes influence one’s health and one’s self

Aging
Is the Time of Death Inevitable and Definitive?

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on August 28, 2024

Fear of death is the main driver of anxiety and depression in humans. Recent research demonstrates that we can extend human life despite limitations.

Fear of death is the main driver of anxiety and depression in humans. Recent research demonstrates that we can extend human life despite limitations.

Stress
How Our Microbiota Help Us Be More Resilient

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on August 15, 2024

Modern life is full of new stressors. Recent findings reveal that specific types of gut microbes assist us in tolerating and managing stress.

Modern life is full of new stressors. Recent findings reveal that specific types of gut microbes assist us in tolerating and managing stress.

Diet
Consuming Omega-3 Fatty Acids Found to Reduce Aggression

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on July 9, 2024

Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function and mood. Diets influenced by a community's economic, cultural, and geographical factors may thus impact mood and cognition.

Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function and mood. Diets influenced by a community's economic, cultural, and geographical factors may thus impact mood and cognition.

Disaster Psychology
Sexuality Issues After Disasters

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on July 1, 2024

When human communities face destructive threats such as natural disasters or wars, their sexual instinct may aid in their survival following these crises.

When human communities face destructive threats such as natural disasters or wars, their sexual instinct may aid in their survival following these crises.

Personality
Thyroid Dysfunction May Be Linked to Personality

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on June 16, 2024

The hormonal system plays a central role in cognition and personality formation. An imbalance in hormone secretion and functions may have mental consequences.

The hormonal system plays a central role in cognition and personality formation. An imbalance in hormone secretion and functions may have mental consequences.

Appetite
Why Am I Always Hungry?

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on May 21, 2024

Accessibility to palatable foods high in sugar and fat, combined with ancestral mechanisms, contributes to severe incidences of obesity worldwide.

Accessibility to palatable foods high in sugar and fat, combined with ancestral mechanisms, contributes to severe incidences of obesity worldwide.

Sex
Dopamine, Intelligence, and Sex Drive: An Intriguing Nexus

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on May 3, 2024

Dopamine mediates the desire for sexuality and also ingenuity. A heightened dopaminergic system in the brains of geniuses may lead them to seek more sexual experiences in their private lives.

Dopamine mediates the desire for sexuality and also ingenuity. A heightened dopaminergic system in the brains of geniuses may lead them to seek more sexual experiences in their private lives.

Personality
Hacking an Individual's Personality Through Their Gut Contents

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on April 1, 2024

The impact of the gut microbiome on cognition motivates us to explore ways to manipulate the gut microbiota of psychological patients by transferring microbes from healthy donors.

The impact of the gut microbiome on cognition motivates us to explore ways to manipulate the gut microbiota of psychological patients by transferring microbes from healthy donors.

Microbiome
How Gut Microbes Affect Sexual Health

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on March 22, 2024

Gut microbiota can influence immune response, inflammation, insulin action, and the function of sex hormones, which may also play a role in reproduction and sexual health.

Gut microbiota can influence immune response, inflammation, insulin action, and the function of sex hormones, which may also play a role in reproduction and sexual health.

Aging
Zombie Cells Contribute to Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on February 26, 2024

The accumulation of aging cells in the body causes systemic inflammation, which can then spread to the brain and cause neuroinflammation, impacting normal brain functioning.

The accumulation of aging cells in the body causes systemic inflammation, which can then spread to the brain and cause neuroinflammation, impacting normal brain functioning.

Diet
Where Does the Temptation to Eat Fatty and Sweet Foods Come From?

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on February 12, 2024

We inherited the desire for fatty and sweet foods from our ancestors. Excessive consumption of these rewires the brain's reward circuits, leading to a desire to eat more of them.

We inherited the desire for fatty and sweet foods from our ancestors. Excessive consumption of these rewires the brain's reward circuits, leading to a desire to eat more of them.

Aging
Does the Brain Slow Down Our Aging Process?

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on January 22, 2024

The central nervous system's effect on inflammation and the role of inflammation in age-related conditions persuade us to acknowledge the mind's influence on the rate of aging.

The central nervous system's effect on inflammation and the role of inflammation in age-related conditions persuade us to acknowledge the mind's influence on the rate of aging.

Education
Does Obesity Affect Learning?

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on January 5, 2024

Evidence suggests that obesity can negatively affect cognitive function and memory, including in children whose brains are still developing.

Evidence suggests that obesity can negatively affect cognitive function and memory, including in children whose brains are still developing.