A mysterious bacterium for a dose of peace and quiet
Whether you have a large garden, with many different corners, or a small garden belonging to a 1960s apartment along a busy road in the middle of town - the garden is an oasis of peace. And without us knowing it, a mysterious bacterium contributes to that feeling of serenity and satisfaction that arises when we spend time in our garden.
Coming home from work, beer from the fridge and quickly into the sun. Among the trees, the bees, the birds, the stresses of everyday life fall away. By rooting a little in the earth and breathing deeply in the garden, you ingest a microbe: mycobacterium vaccae. This bacterium stimulates the production of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin creates a sense of inner peace, serenity and contentment. So the garden is, literally, an oasis of calm.
The best news: you get mycobacterium vaccae just by sniffing the air in the garden ( as long as your garden contains enough green, of course). Sitting back on the lounge sofa and oldskool cloud gazing, snacking on strawberries right off the plant, pulling a few tufts of invasive weeds out of the ground - it all contributes to a sense of relaxation. So hup, into the garden for your daily dose of serotonin.
