Grandstanding politicians are botching the pandemic response, increasing anxiety. Here’s what the experts recommend: Pay attention to your body and stay proactive to beat the coronavirus stress.

Vive la différence! Sex plays a big role in our guts, not just our minds.

There are major differences in male and female gut microbes that contribute to – and detract from –  mental health.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mood-microbe/202002/sex-and-the-microbiome

Mental issues aren’t all in your head—and they aren’t your fault.

People may shun you when you are depressed or anxious. They shouldn’t. It’s time to bring depression out of the shadows.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mood-microbe/202001/bringing-depression-out-the-shadows

You take your microbes to every party, but what do they want?

Holiday treats are irresistible, but lousy for your microbiota. Here are some tips to have fun while keeping your gut microbes hale and hearty.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mood-microbe/201912/what-give-your-microbes-the-holidays

Psychological stress leads to physical stress, anxiety, and depression.

Psychological stress messes with your immune system and can make you moody and depressed. Fortunately, there are tricks to boost your resilience and make you feel better.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mood-microbe/201911/stress-inflammation-and-microbes-moody-trinity

A mouse study finds a remarkable microbial connection to fear.

A new study in Nature finds that gut microbes are essential for extinguishing the fear response in mice. This may help clinicians devise strategies for people with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study is the latest in a continuing exploration of the mechanics of the gut-brain axis.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mood-microbe/201910/unending-fear-and-the-gut-brain-axis

Life stressors can lead to nasty diseases. Here’s how to chill out.

For many of us, stress starts when we wake and ramps up throughout the day. We are steeped in it. For the worst afflicted, it can define their lives. We may no longer have to deal with lions on the savannah, but we have stressor aplenty, and they are unrelenting.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mood-microbe/201910/stress-can-kill-you-how-cope

Introducing a new food pyramid for a better mood.

The road to happiness winds through your gut. Here are five tips to improve your mood with good food.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mood-microbe/201908/can-you-eat-yourself-happy

Can depression be transferred via microbes?

Researchers find an unorthodox method to transmit depression from one animal to another. What are the implications for psychiatry?

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mood-microbe/201907/transferring-the-blues