Key points from article :
Some gut viruses might actually help manage stress, according to a new study on mice.
Researchers at University College Cork focused on bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, and saw changes in their composition within stressed mice.
To test their impact, they transplanted viruses from healthy mice into stressed ones, observing a decrease in stress hormones and anxiety-like behaviors.
This suggests gut viruses play a part in reacting to stress, potentially paving the way for future stress-fighting therapies.
Unlike past research focusing on gut bacteria, this study highlights the virome's potential in stress management.
Remember, diversity is key! While some gut viruses cause illness, others might even control harmful bacteria, especially during stressful times.
The study is published in Nature Microbiology, University College Cork.
