The Dirt that Loves You Back
Last summer, I accidentally became a gardener.
Not a good gardener. Let’s not get carried away.
I had never had what people call a green thumb, so every morning felt less like “tending the garden” and more like checking a tiny outdoor ICU.
And yet, I loved it.
Which was confusing, because the math was terrible.
So naturally, because I have a background in molecular biology and cannot leave a mystery alone, I started looking into why gardening felt so good.
And that is how I met Mycobacterium vaccae.
A soil bacterium.
A literal dirt organism.
And I’m sorry…
…but that is one of the coolest things I have ever heard.
Exposure to this soil-derived bacterium appears to influence:
- immune signaling
- serotonin-related pathways
- inflammation
- stress resilience
- reduced anxiety-like behavior in animals
Lowry’s 2007 study found that M. vaccae activated serotonin-producing neurons in mice, and later work found heat-killed M. vaccae reduced stress-related pathology and fear/anxiety-like behaviors in mice.
Here’s the simplified version of what researchers think may be happening:
The bacteria don’t appear to march directly into your brain (thank God) and start manufacturing happiness like some Pixar character with a serotonin bucket (we had to go here for the imagery).
When the body is stuck in a chronic inflammatory or “threat” state, the brain feels it too. Higher inflammation has been linked in research to depression, anxiety, fatigue, and stress sensitivity.
M. vaccae appears to calm some of those inflammatory signals. In animal studies, researchers found it influenced immune cells and activated serotonin-related neurons in the brain at the same time. Exposure to M. vaccae altered mouse behavior in ways compared to antidepressant-like effects, activating serotonin-producing neurons in brain regions involved in mood.
How it gets in you: probably inhalation of soil dust, small amounts swallowed from hands/food/gardening exposure, and possibly contact with skin/mucosa. Gloves probably reduce direct skin contact, but they do not eliminate exposure if you’re breathing soil dust, handling plants, touching pots, or existing like a normal messy human in a garden.
Safety: M. vaccae is generally discussed as nonpathogenic/saprophytic, but the broader group, nontuberculous mycobacteria, includes organisms found in soil and water that can infect people, especially those with lung disease or compromised immune systems. Cleveland Clinic specifically notes that people at higher risk may be advised to avoid working with soil, especially potting soil.
Here is an amazing array of my gardening favorites. Links provided. Happy Gardening.
Curated Tools: For the Garden That Accidentally Becomes Therapy
A beautifully designed vintage-inspired gardening set featuring copper-toned tools, a galvanized steel watering can, protective gardening gloves, pruning shears, and a rustic organizer tote. Equal parts practical and aesthetic, this set brings a timeless, grounded feel to gardening — perfect for anyone turning their backyard into a peaceful ritual instead of just a chore.
A thoughtfully designed gardening apron made for people who lose track of time in the garden. Featuring seven functional pockets, water-resistant storage, and an internal drawstring harvest pouch, it keeps tools, gloves, herbs, vegetables, and little garden treasures close at hand — practical enough for real work, but beautiful enough to feel like part of the ritual.
A beautifully designed set of lightweight garden pruners and precision shears crafted for everything from delicate herbs to thicker stems and branches. With razor-sharp carbon steel blades, ergonomic handles, and a soft sage finish, these tools make gardening feel less like maintenance and more like a ritual.
A beautifully designed raised garden bed that transforms everyday planting into something a little magical. Durable galvanized steel meets storybook charm, creating the perfect space for vegetables, herbs, flowers, fairy gardens, and tiny moments of wonder.
A beautifully curated heirloom seed chest filled with medicinal herbs, apothecary plants, and old-world garden wisdom. Designed for herbalists, gardeners, and lovers of slow living, this enchanting collection transforms planting into a ritual — blending practicality, healing traditions, and a little everyday magic.
A beautifully designed solar lotus light that brings a warm, peaceful glow to patios, pathways, gardens, and evening gatherings. With crackled-glass illumination and intricate metal petals, it creates the kind of cozy outdoor atmosphere that makes people slow down, stay longer, and quietly ask where you got it.
A beautifully designed outdoor potting bench that turns gardening into a slower, more intentional ritual. With a removable sink, foldable workspace, tool hooks, and open storage, it’s equal parts practical and charming — the kind of piece that quietly becomes the heart of the garden.
A charming kid-sized gardening cart designed to turn planting into play, curiosity, and memory-making. With real gardening tools, adjustable height, rolling wheels, and thoughtful little details, it’s the perfect way to help children fall in love with nature — one tiny sprout at a time.
Maybe your nervous system doesn’t need another productivity hack. Maybe it needs sunlight, microbes, and a tomato plant you’ve irrationally decided to believe in.
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