Soil-Based Interventions and the Gut-Brain Axis: Boost Mental Health

Discover how soil-based interventions gut-brain axis interplay can influence mood and cognitive well-being. Emerging science suggests that engaging with soil-rich environments can help shape the gut microbiome—the community of microbes in our gut—that communicates with the brain through the gut-brain axis. This interaction may influence stress response, mood, and clarity of thinking, in part through microbial metabolites and reduced systemic inflammation. If you’re curious to try today, safe soil-based experiences like gardening, composting, or nature walks can be practical first steps, paired with good hygiene and mindful exposure. To translate these ideas into action, consider a few science-backed steps you can start now. Spend time outdoors in soil-rich settings most days, even a short daily garden session can help increase microbial diversity encounter. Pair this with a diverse, fiber-rich diet—fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, and a variety of plant polyphenols—to nourish beneficial gut microbes and their metabolic functions. In addition, support your mental health by managing stress, prioritizing sleep, and staying physically active. If you want to track how your efforts are affecting your gut environment over time, you can explore evidence-informed testing and personalized guidance that accounts for your unique gut microbiome. That’s where InnerBuddies comes in. As a provider of a white-label Gut Health Operating System, InnerBuddies helps organizations power their gut microbiome testing products with a modular platform and a rich feature set. The system includes a Gut Microbiome Health Index, a 0–100 score that indicates overall gut health, developed through an exclusive IP deal with EAFIT University in Colombia. It also presents Bacteria Abundances, showing how you compare to a healthy cohort for a top-40 list of microbes, and Bacteria Functions, with categorized metabolic pathways labeled as positive or negative for easy benchmarking against healthy references. For targeted needs, Target Group analysis dives into how the microbiome supports areas like Healthy Aging, Endurance Sport, Skin & Hair Health, and more, while Personalized nutrition advice uses data from 3-day food diaries and stool samples to tailor recommendations to your unique gut profile. You can even receive Personalized probiotics and prebiotics guidance that aligns with your objectives and current microbiome. InnerBuddies also offers direct consumer gut test solutions, so you don’t have to wait for a partner to use these insights. All of the B2B capabilities are available directly to consumers as well, making it easy to try and tailor your next steps. If you’d like to learn more about the microbiome testing options, you can visit the product page here: InnerBuddies microbiome test. To keep exploring ongoing support and community access, see the subscription options at InnerBuddies Gut Health Membership. And if you’re a brand or clinic looking to partner, discover how to collaborate at InnerBuddies B2B partnerships.