Researchers have discovered that swapping spit with your spouse can spread anxiety and depression. A study of newlywed couples found that the oral microbiome, a diverse community of bacteria in our mouths, can affect physical and mental health.
The researchers, from Iran, India, Italy, and the UK, investigated whether the oral microbiome can be transferred between people through kissing and how this transfer affects mental health. They screened 1,740 couples and found that healthy spouses who married someone with insomnia and depression showed increased anxiety and depression scores after six months.
The study suggests that changes in the oral microbiome composition are associated with changes in symptoms of depression and anxiety. The findings have implications for holistic, personalized medicine, especially in mental health treatment.
Source: https://newatlas.com/mental-health/oral-microbiome-spouse-anxiety-and-depression