Could a Sterile Environment Make You Neurotic?

Researchers believe they have found an “anxiety vaccine” in the most unlikely place: soil. Studies have shown that a common bacterium found in plain old dirt, Mycobacterium vaccae, has anti-inflammatory properties that prevent the brain from being wired for stress. This means that an overly sterile environment in childhood could contribute to anxiety disorders later in life.  

For decades, scientists have hypothesized that exposure to dirt contributes to a healthy immune system. New research shows that they were right. Beneficial microbes found in soil improve immunity to common diseases and inflammation, which may be responsible for a wide variety of anxiety and mental health disorders. That’s right! Playing in the dirt as a child makes you less stressed as an adult. Find out how you can make sure your kids are exposed to these microbes

Dirty Childhoods Create Healthy Adults

In the late 1980s, scientists hypothesized that sterile and clean environments were creating sick children. According to the “hygiene hypothesis,” children build immunity during a critical period after birth by being exposed to germs in their environment. These germs essentially teach the immune system how to respond. In very clean environments, however, children do not get the exposure they need, which can cause health problems later in life. The hypothesis has been linked with numerous illnesses, including asthma, allergies and the common cold.

Why Dirt Boosts Immunity

While researchers knew that exposure to dirt and dirty environments boosted immunity, they did not fully understand why. Many thought that exposure to harmful germs helped build immunity. But new research points to something else entirely. Living side-by-side with harmful microbes are healthy microbes. Some components within these microbes, such as the fatty acid found in M. vaccae, reduce inflammation and wire the brain for health. 

How to Expose Your Child to Beneficial Bacteria

Since our houses are enclosed and cleaned regularly, there aren’t as many healthy microbes found indoors. Rather, they are found outside. This means that children must be exposed to all types of environments, even dirty ones when they are building their immune system. It may seem counterintuitive, but protecting your child requires you to let them roll around and get dirty. The more exposure to microbes they have during their early years, the healthier they will be.

Everyone wants to keep their children safe and healthy. But scientists are discovering that we may be doing more harm than good by providing a squeaky clean environment. The key to good health is a strong immune system, which may be best built while playing in the dirt.