Article Presented by: Donna Thrasher, Union County Extension Master Gardener 2011
WHO KNEW?? ... WE KNEW!! Getting Dirty is Actually Good for You.
As Master Gardeners, we already know how much fun it is to be outside
with our hands in the dirt, our senses fully engaged - the earthy smells and sweet fragrances,
the sounds of the bees and the birds, the breeze and sunshine on our faces,
and oh, the sights we behold!
It brings us such joy and is all so invigorating yet relaxing.
We tell our family and friends that “working in the dirt”
makes us feel better and helps keep us sane.
To which there may be all manner of sarcastic replies from those friends and family!
with our hands in the dirt, our senses fully engaged - the earthy smells and sweet fragrances,
the sounds of the bees and the birds, the breeze and sunshine on our faces,
and oh, the sights we behold!
It brings us such joy and is all so invigorating yet relaxing.
We tell our family and friends that “working in the dirt”
makes us feel better and helps keep us sane.
To which there may be all manner of sarcastic replies from those friends and family!
But it turns out there is scientific truth in that sense of calm and well-being that we get from the garden after all, at least according to
several recent studies.
As reported in 2007 by ScienceDaily, researchers at the University of Bristol with their colleagues at University College London have reported in their studies with mice that Mycobacterim vaccae, a bacteria found naturally in the soil, activated a group of neurons that produce the brain chemical serotonin. Among other things, low levels of serotonin are said to be a cause of depression and impair the ability to learn.
In fact, further studies of M. vaccae reported in 2010 by researchers, Drs. Dorothy Matthews & Susan Jenks at the Sage Colleges in Troy, NY, support this connection. They found mice fed the bacteria navigated the test maze at double the speed with less demonstrated anxiety behaviors as the control group, suggesting ‘“M. vaccae may play a role in anxiety and learning in mammals”, adding that it would be interesting to consider “creating learning environments in schools that include time in the outdoors where M. vaccae is present” to possibly “decrease anxiety and improve the ability to learn new tasks”’.
Dr. Chris Lowry, lead author on the University of Bristol study, said “[these studies] also leave us wondering if we shouldn’t all be spending more time playing in the dirt.” To which we would all shout out, “Amen, sister” (or brother, as the case may be)!!
Now we have science to back up what we Master Gardeners always knew. Working outside in the soil provides a huge health benefit – and that doesn’t even take into account the benefits that come from bending and stretching and just moving our bodies while we are gardening.
So, the next time you want to cheer yourself up, just grab your gloves and trowel, your children and grandchildren, and get out there!
several recent studies.
As reported in 2007 by ScienceDaily, researchers at the University of Bristol with their colleagues at University College London have reported in their studies with mice that Mycobacterim vaccae, a bacteria found naturally in the soil, activated a group of neurons that produce the brain chemical serotonin. Among other things, low levels of serotonin are said to be a cause of depression and impair the ability to learn.
In fact, further studies of M. vaccae reported in 2010 by researchers, Drs. Dorothy Matthews & Susan Jenks at the Sage Colleges in Troy, NY, support this connection. They found mice fed the bacteria navigated the test maze at double the speed with less demonstrated anxiety behaviors as the control group, suggesting ‘“M. vaccae may play a role in anxiety and learning in mammals”, adding that it would be interesting to consider “creating learning environments in schools that include time in the outdoors where M. vaccae is present” to possibly “decrease anxiety and improve the ability to learn new tasks”’.
Dr. Chris Lowry, lead author on the University of Bristol study, said “[these studies] also leave us wondering if we shouldn’t all be spending more time playing in the dirt.” To which we would all shout out, “Amen, sister” (or brother, as the case may be)!!
Now we have science to back up what we Master Gardeners always knew. Working outside in the soil provides a huge health benefit – and that doesn’t even take into account the benefits that come from bending and stretching and just moving our bodies while we are gardening.
So, the next time you want to cheer yourself up, just grab your gloves and trowel, your children and grandchildren, and get out there!