Note – I received a copy of this book from the publisher through TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
About The Psychobiotic Revolution
Written by the leading researchers in the field, this information-rich guide to improving your mood explains how gut health drives psychological well-being, and how depression and anxiety can be relieved by adjusting your intestinal bacteria.
This groundbreaking book explains the revolutionary new science of psychobiotics and the discovery that your brain health and state of mind are intimately connected to your microbiome, that four-pound population of microbes living inside your intestines. Leading medical researchers John F. Cryan and Ted Dinan, working with veteran journalist Scott C. Anderson, explain how common mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety, can be improved by caring for the intestinal microbiome. Science is proving that a healthy gut means a healthy mind–and this book details the steps you can take to change your mood and improve your life by nurturing your microbiome.
My Thoughts
A little known fact about me: gut health has been on my mind for awhile, now. I have relatives who have had issues related to gut health. I come from a family that (now) eats sauerkraut–or some other fermented food–with every meal. I’m not on the sauerkraut train–I can’t even stand the smell of it–but when a gut health-related issue hit another member of my family, I started taking a probiotic and realized that I felt so much better. I can always answer the “what’s a prebiotic” question and I’m a big proponent of taking care of your gut health, because I’ve seen so many issues that might seem unrelated to gut health actually stem from it.
So, when I heard about The Psychobiotic Revolution I thought this would be a fascinating book to read. I know that gut health impacts you physically in so many different ways, so let’s see how it impacts mental health and mood. If you’re worried the message in the book might be, “Get rid of the meds you’re taking for your mental health!” I didn’t get that feel at all. While he does take a look at some of the medicines that are being used, I found his message to be one of: let’s see how much of a factor gut health is in the mental health of each individual and go from there.
This isn’t my usual type of read, so there were times I’d find my mind wandering, but the topic itself is something that I have an interest in and it’s one that I think people should look into. Gut health might be affecting you more than you think, and it’s something worth looking into.
Even though my mind wandered here and there, I thought the book was incredibly fascinating. It’s also one that I “shared” with people in my life more than I usually do. I took of a picture of a passage that referenced something my dad and I had talked about recently and sent it to him. After reading Chapter Three: Your Microbiota, From Birth to Death, I sent a few tidbits to a friend of mine who’s pregnant, to which she responded, “What are you reading? 😂” Like I said, it’s not my usual type of book. I’m glad I read it, though, and I would recommend it.
What about you? Do you have an interest in the fascinating world of gut health?
Purchase Links
National Geographic | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
About Scott C. Anderson
SCOTT C. ANDERSON is a veteran science journalist with specialization in medical topics and computer programming. He was one of the creators of Lego Island, a computer game, and his work has combined computer programming with medical research. He runs a laboratory called Freedom Health that studies bacterial health in racehorses and has developed prebiotics for animals and humans. He lives in Hudson, Ohio (between Cleveland and Akron), was born in Frankfurt, Germany, and recently lived in Sonoma, California.
About John F. Cryan, Ph.D.
JOHN F. CRYAN is professor and chair of the department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University College Cork. A principal investigator in the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, a leading-edge institute researching the role of microbiome in health and disease, he lives in Cork, Ireland.
About Ted Dinan, M.D., Ph.D.
TED DINAN is professor of psychiatry and a principal investigator in the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre at University College Cork. He was previously chair of clinical neurosciences and professor of psychological medicine at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. He lives in Cork, Ireland.
Informative content
I’ve been hearing a lot about gut health, but hadn’t really thought much of it. It is interesting how so many cultures do have fermented food, though. Maybe my family should give it a go!
Gut health is such an important topic, but I know that I still have a lot to learn. This book sounds like such a great read to further educate me on this!
I have never heard the term gut health so I’m kind of feeling like I live under a rock. lol Sounds like a topic I should research. Thank you for sharing this book.
A friend of mine was just talking about this book! She had a positive review of it as well, so I think I need to check it out! Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never read, or even heard of this book, but I believe it! My mom works for a company that focuses on gut health, especially for prenatal women and women with hormonal imbalance. It’s crazy how the brain and body correlate! I will have to check out this read š
I’ve never read this book but since I have an autoimmune disorder that affects my gastrointestinal tract, I’m always looking into gut health. I am a firm believer in a link between the brain and the fuel we put into our body. I’ll definitely have to check this book out!
This is so, so interesting. I have come to believe that gut-health truly affects my skin and hair, but I never thought about how it might affect my mood! It makes total sense, though!
Hmmmm super interesting – do you think I’d enjoy reading it? I’ve been taking probiotics for gut health but otherwise I’m pretty clueless!
I’ll admit, the topic of gut health confuses me. However ,a lot of it rings true and I find myself very intigued!
What an interesting topic! I haven’t really thought too much into this!
Thanks for being a part of the tour!