Some people like to think things over and others tend to trust their gut feelings. It turns out that these strategies may not be separate methods. Recent research indicates that the bacteria in the gut can influence how brains develop and whether one is anxious or fearless. An NPR story from November says:

“I’m always by profession a skeptic,” says Dr. Emeran Mayer, a professor of medicine and psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles. “But I do believe that our gut microbes affect what goes on in our brains.”

Curious about what these little critters look like? National Geographic has great pictures.

“INTESTINAL BACTERIA
The human gut teems with bacteria, many of their species still unknown. They help us digest food and absorb nutrients, and they play a part in protecting our intestinal walls. Gut bacteria may also help regulate weight and ward off autoimmune diseases.”