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First Post
3 days ago
- Health
- First Post
Can kissing spread depression and anxiety?
The research, published in Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine, examined the oral microbiome of 268 newly-married couples, the levels of cortisol in their saliva and their mental health. Here's what the study found about kissing leading to depression and anxiety read more They study involved examining the oral microbiome – a diverse array of microorganisms that reside in the human mouth – of 268 newly-married couples. Image courtesy: Pixabay/Representational Can kissing spread depression and anxiety? It may sounds unbelievable, but this is what a recent study has found. Researchers did so by studying the oral microbiome of over 250 newly-wedded couples. But what do we know? What did researchers find? Let's take a closer look What do we know? The research was published in Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine. It was led by independent researcher Reza Rastmanesh. As per Jerusalem Post, the entire team included researchers from Italy, India, Iran, and Great Britain. They study involved examining the oral microbiome – a diverse array of microorganisms that reside in the human mouth – of 268 newly-married couples in Iran. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Given that bacterial transmission can occur between spouses, this study aimed to investigate whether the transmission of oral microbiota between newlywed couples mediates symptoms of depression and anxiety,' the researchers said, as per New Atlas. As per Daily Mail, the study was conducted from February 2024 to October 2024. The study said women were more likely to be impacted than men. Image courtesy: Pixabay/Representational Patients were asked not to change any of the habits during the study. At the beginning of the study, one partner was in good mental health while the other had issues such as anxiety and depression as well as insomnia. Researchers studied the oral microbiome and measured cortisol in the saliva of all the participants on the first day of the research. They also gave the couples mental health tests and used advanced DNA sequencing techniques to examine the mouth bacteria. They then did so after six months and compared the two. What did they find? As per Daily Mail, the results found that the previously healthy spouses 'exhibited significantly higher scores for depression, anxiety, and insomnia compared to their own baseline measurements'. In short, it found that the spouses who suffered from insomnia and mental health conditions 'infected' the formerly healthy spouses. According to Hindustan Times, the mouth bacteria in the formerly healthy spouse now looked more like their unhealthy partner at the beginning of the study. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The study found bacteria such as Clostridia, Veillonella, Bacillus, and Lachnospiraceae became more widespread in both partners. These bacteria are linked to brain disorders, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Scientists say these bacteria impact the brain by degrading the blood-brain barrier. The study said women were more likely to be impacted than men. The study also found that levels of cortisol had increased in the formerly healthy spouses. So, what is to blame? Kissing, the researchers said. More specifically, the bacteria that was exchanged between the mouths of the spouses. 'Oral microbiota transfer between individuals in close contact, such as couples in the present study, may mediate depression and anxiety,' said the researchers, as per New Atlas. 'We found that changes in oral microbiota composition are associated with changes in the severity of insomnia, salivary cortisol levels, and depression and anxiety scores. Our findings align with previous studies on salivary cortisol levels as well as depression and anxiety scores.' At the beginning of the study, one partner was in good mental health while the other had issues such as anxiety and depression as well as insomnia. Representational image. Reuters However, the authors acknowledged several limitations with the study. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This included the fact that only Persian-peaking couples based in Iran were studied. The study also did not take into account other external factors such as major life events and dietary changes. They said more research is needed. 'Since this study is associational, further research is needed to establish whether this association is causal,' the researchers said. 'If it is determined that this association is indeed causal, it could have significant implications for contemporary research.' With inputs from agencies
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
You can 'catch' depression and anxiety by kissing your partner; New study reveals shocking 'transmission'
'In sickness and in health.' It's not for nothing that these words are conventionally included in the standard wedding vows. Turns out, partners sometimes become way more than soulmates; at times, in sickness – especially in the case of mental health – they might share your health issues as well. In a groundbreaking revelation, a recent study has revealed a surprising link between mental health and intimate acts between romantic partners. According to the study, your partner's mental health could potentially impact yours through the mere act of kissing! Read on to find out more about the 'contagion'. What does the study say? As per a 2025 study of newlywed couples in Iran, published in Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine , your partner's mental health could potentially impact your own through the exchange of oral bacteria. The study revealed that depression and anxiety can indeed be transmitted between partners through intimate interactions like kissing. This phenomenon, which was particularly highlighted in the research conducted amongst newlywed couples, showed that a mentally healthy spouse could start exhibiting signs of mental health issues after just six months of marriage to a partner struggling with depression. The study followed the dynamics of 1,740 couples, all newly married for an average of six months. The research, led by independent researcher Reza Rastmanesh, focused on contrasting two groups: one consisting of 268 healthy spouses and another of 268 partners grappling with mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. What are the findings? At the start of the study period, the healthy spouses showed normal scores for depression, anxiety, and sleep quality. However, it became evident that after spending six months alongside a partner experiencing mental health issues, there was a marked deterioration in the mental well-being of the previously healthy individuals. Their mental health scores notably increased, reflecting symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as sleep disturbances. Analyzing their saliva samples through advanced DNA sequencing techniques, researchers discovered that the oral bacterial profiles of the healthy spouses mirrored those of their depressed partners. This connection revealed that certain bacterial families, like Clostridia, Veillonella, Bacillus, and Lachnospiraceae, became more prevalent in both partners – which raised concerns due to their association with brain disorders such as depression and anxiety. As per the researchers, these bacteria might influence brain function by disrupting the blood-brain barrier, therefore compromising mental health. What are the implications? This groundbreaking study highlighted the profound impact of our microbiome, the vast community of microorganisms residing in our mouths, that we share with others through everyday activities such as kissing, sharing food, or even just being in close proximity. The findings suggested that this microbial exchange could play a significant role in the transmission of mental health conditions. They also drew our attention to a significant gender difference in susceptibility to this bacterial transmission. Women, in particular, were found to be more vulnerable, as female partners exhibited more pronounced alterations in their oral microbiome and corresponding mental health scores than their male counterparts. Moreover, the study monitored cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. The results indicated that the stress response systems of healthy spouses married to partners with depression and anxiety were notably activated, as indicated by a substantial rise in cortisol levels over the six-month duration of the study. This accounts for the deep interconnection between partner relationships and mental health, underscoring the adage that we truly can 'catch' our partner's mood, not just emotionally – but also biologically. High-fructose diet worsens depression in teens One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
If your partner has depression, anxiety you could ‘catch' it by kissing them, says new study
Did you know that you could get depression and anxiety from your partner through mouth bacteria? Did we stump you? Well, a new study found that depression and anxiety can spread between partners if they kiss - a healthy spouse could show mental health symptoms after just six months of marriage to a depressed partner. Also Read | Nutritionist shares why every woman needs to eat dark chocolate during periods: Reduces cramps, boosts mood Each time you kiss, share food, or simply breathe near your spouse, you exchange millions of bacteria - the new research shows that this microbial sharing may also contribute to the transmission of mental health conditions. A 2025 study of newlywed couples in Iran - published in Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine - found that when a partner suffers from depression and anxiety, they could potentially change their healthy partner's oral bacteria, leading to a shift in the healthy partner's mood and sleep patterns. 'Oral microbiota transmission between individuals in close contact partially mediates symptoms of depression and anxiety,' the researchers said in the paper. Just six months into marriage, previously healthy spouses were significantly more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances if their partner was someone who had both mental health conditions, along with insomnia. The research, led by independent researcher Reza Rastmanesh, tracked 1,740 couples married for an average of six months, comparing 268 healthy spouses with 268 partners who had depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. They took standardised mental health tests, provided saliva samples to measure stress hormones, and had their mouth bacteria analysed using advanced DNA sequencing techniques. At the start of the six months, the healthy spouses scored normally on depression, anxiety, and sleep quality tests. However, after living with a partner with mental health issues, their scores were significantly higher. Their mouth bacteria resembled that of their depressed and anxious partners. Bacterial families like Clostridia, Veillonella, Bacillus, and Lachnospiraceae became more abundant in both partners. The bacteria are linked to brain disorders, including depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Scientists believe that they affect the brain by compromising the blood-brain barrier. Additionally, researchers found that women were more susceptible to this bacterial transmission; female spouses experienced more pronounced changes in both their oral microbiome and mental health scores. They also measured cortisol levels during the study and found that the stress hormone in healthy spouses married to depressed and anxious partners showed a significant increase over six months, indicating their stress response systems were being activated. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Unknown Species of Bacteria Discovered in China's Space Station
Swabs from China's Tiangong space station reveal traces of a bacterium unseen on Earth, with characteristics that may help it function under stressful environmental conditions hundreds of kilometers above the planet's surface. Naming their discovery after the station, researchers from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering say the study of Niallia tiangongensis and similar species could be "essential" in protecting astronaut health and spacecraft functionality over long missions. The swabs were taken from a cabin on board the space station in May 2023 by the Shenzhou-15 crew as part of one of two surveys by the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Programme. Follow-up studies have traced the growth of microbes that inhabit the space station environment, revealing a microbiome that differs in both composition and function from the one found on the International Space Station. The new species appears to be a close cousin to a known strain called Niallia circulans – a rod-shaped, soil-dwelling bacterium that just a few years ago was reallocated to a new genus classification, having previously been regarded as a pathogenic form of Bacillus. Like species of Bacillus, N. circulans and its space-faring relatives pack their essential chemistry into hardy spores to survive times of great stress. It's not clear whether N. tiangongensis evolved on the station or arrived in spore form with at least a few of its distinguishing features in place. According to the recently published analysis on its genes and functions, the new species has a unique ability to break down gelatin as a source of nitrogen and carbon, a knack that comes in handy when it needs to construct a protective coat of biofilm to bunker beneath when conditions get a little rough. On the other hand, it seems to have lost the ability to utilize other energy-packed substances its cousins happily chow down on. Not only does this reveal Niallia can be a diverse bunch of microorganisms, it demonstrates how readily some varieties of bacterium can make themselves right at home in our orbiting habitats. There's also not a great deal we can do about it. An examination of the 'clean rooms' NASA used to prepare the Mars Phoenix mission revealed dozens of microbe strains belonging to 26 novel species. A recent study of these novel bacteria found their amazing ability to survive conditions we would assume to make the environment sterile came down to genes linked to DNA repair and resistance to levels of substances other microbes would find toxic. Knowing thy enemy is clearly a significant step towards dealing with them. If we can't prevent their existence or their ability to adapt, it is vital we can predict how microbes will adjust to living in space. It's yet to be determined whether Niallia tiangongensis poses any threat to the health of Tiangong's astronauts, but given its cousin's ability to cause sepsis in immunocompromised patients and its newfound ability to break down gelatin, the potential for health problems from this and other space microbes is a serious issue. With eyes on launching missions to the Moon and beyond, it's never been more important to know how the tiny passengers sharing our space may be suited to a life far from home. This research was published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. NASA Mission Captures Eerie New View of The Moon And Sun Mysteriously Perfect Sphere Spotted in Space by Astronomers The Most Violent Solar Storm Ever Detected Hit Earth in 12350 BCE
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
LiveSpo® NAVAX Nasal-Spray Probiotics: A New Approach in Supporting the Treatment of Rhinosinusitis and Otitis Media
HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 May 2025 - LiveSpo® NAVAX – a nasal-spray probiotic product developed by Vietnamese scientists – has recently been published in the high-ranking international scientific journal Scientific Reports-Nature, recognizing its effectiveness in supporting the treatment of rhinosinusitis and otitis media in children. This marks the third consecutive study on the product published in a prestigious international scientific platform, reinforcing a promising new direction in non-antibiotic respiratory care. The findings from the clinical study, conducted Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy in collaboration with other institutions, was published on January 27, 2025, in Scientific Reports-Nature, a renowned journal under the Nature Portfolio (UK). The results demonstrated significant effectiveness in children within just 3–7 days of use. Additionally, data also showed positive improvements in adults, highlighting the product's potential for broader application in the future. The study was carried out from November 2023 to December 2024 with the participation of 126 patients, including both children and adults. Among children with acute rhinosinusitis and perforated acute otitis media, the treatment results were particularly notable: after 3 days of using LiveSpo® NAVAX, nasal congestion decreased by 68%, twice as much as the saline group. After 7 days, 97% of the children had no more nasal discharge, and 100% had no more ear discharge. The concentration of pathogenic bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae in nasal and ear secretions dropped more than 1,200 times. Importantly, no side effects were recorded during the entire trial – even in children with weakened immune systems. In the adult group with acute sinusitis, symptoms such as nasal congestion, facial pain, and purulent discharge improved significantly after 3 days of use – with reductions of 53%, 78%, and 61%, respectively. After 7 days, 91% of patients no longer experienced nasal discharge. Laboratory results showed a substantial reduction in pathogenic bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae decreased over 380-fold and Haemophilus influenzae decreased over 49,000-fold compared to the Control group receiving physiological saline According to the research team, the effectiveness of LiveSpo® NAVAX origins from its ability to modulate local inflammatory responses and enhance mucosal immunity through the competitive biological mechanism of spore-forming Bacillus probiotics. Inflammatory markers such as IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α significantly decreased, while levels of IgA – a key protective antibody at the mucosal surface – increased, contributing to the restoration of the nose and ear's natural defense barrier. This study not only adds to the growing body of scientific evidence supporting LiveSpo® NAVAX's efficacy in respiratory care but also affirms Vietnam's biomedical research capabilities on the international scientific map. It paves the way for a safe, sustainable respiratory treatment alternative that reduces reliance on antibiotics – especially for vulnerable groups like children. Dr. Nguyen Hoa Anh, Chairman and Founder of LiveSpo Pharma, shared: 'At LiveSpo, we prioritize the research and development of internationally standardized products, combining modern medicine with advanced probiotic technology to deliver safe and effective health solutions for the community – all with a vision of A Future Without Antibiotics.' Khieu TH, Le DP, Nguyen BT, Ngo BT, Chu HT, Truong DM, Nguyen HM, Nguyen AH, Pham TD, Van Nguyen AT. Alleviating symptoms of paediatric acute rhinosinusitis and acute otitis media with otorrhea using nasal-spraying Bacillus probiotics: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 27;15(1):3410. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-87372-2. PMID: 39870748; PMCID: PMC11772584.
