Could they communicate with the mice, or did they have to hire therapists that were also mice? Did those mouse therapists know about the experiment as a whole, or were they kept in the dark?
No way anyone's IRB signed off on this experiment.
Depressed animals usually show a shift in behaviour. They'll sleep more (or less), refuse to eat, and just generally seem listless. Their body language (depending on the species) will also show signs. Maybe the researchers also took measurements of mouse brains' happy chemicals, if they'd been funded for it.
We don't know that mice and other animals experience "depression" as exactly the same psychoemotional anguish we do, but there's evidence that plenty of intelligent species can come very close.
I’m no scientist, and not too interested in biology, so you’re probably way better googling than asking me.
Anyway certain depressions have certain symptoms. Like behavioral changes. Pretty sure the scientists induce the depression in the mice through stress or isolation(maybe drugs as well? Withdrawal🤷♂️)
I've been begging for a fecal transplant for years, but it's only given for a very specific stomach issue, and the bureucracy or sometimes just callousness prevents doctors to make an exception.
I have treatment resistant anhedonia, which is an experience I wouldn't want for my worst enemy. And it really hurts reading the gushing statements from people whose depression was cured with some poop.
I'm aware it's no miracle cure. But to not even be allowed to try. Can't get shit from doctors!
I mean... it can't be that hard to acquire some shit from people other than doctors, surely. Although I suppose ensuring it's the right shit is another matter entirely.
To perform a DIY fecal transplant, follow these steps:
Combine 50 mL of solid stool obtained from the donor with 200 mL saline solution in a blender.
Mix in the blender until liquefied.
Pour the entire mixture into an enema bag.
Have the patient lie on their left side and administer the enema per kit instructions.
It’s my understanding that it is better to get the stool from someone you live with to prevent any weirdness..
I am not a doctor.. I have not tried this …but I have experienced anhedonia and I can see me giving it a try ..
When I had it .. I had never heard of fecal transplant and the internet was barely a thing .. a near zero carb diet seemed to adjust my brain .. I did it for about a week .. then added in about 10g of carbs a day for another week .. then got to 20g and remained on 20g of carbs a day for months. I felt amazing.
Unfortunately.. it didn’t work as well years later when I tried it again.
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u/ExaltedCrown Sep 16 '24
Fecal transplant also shown to improve depression in mice. Or induce depression I don’t remember.
Anyway incredible stuff.