Reddit reviews I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life

On a more scientifically meaningful note, if you are curious about the role of the human microbiome in health and disease, I strongly recommend Ed Yong's "I Contain Multitudes". Entertaining, well-researched and highly accessible, even to a lay audience.

https://www.amazon.com/Contain-Multitudes-Microbes-Within-Grander/dp/0062368591

ninja edit: I'm totally thread hijacking, because this documentary raises a few good points, but is generally whack.

I contain multitudes and Hood: Trailblazer of the Genomics Age

• In the process of reading I Contain Multitudes, by Ed Yong. He's British, so I didn't make a post in this sub about him. AWESOME book, so far. He's a great writer.
  
• In more science news, just learned that Tom Jessell got fired from Columbia U.. I briefly met him during my post-doc there. He looked like a 'grinder' -- like he LIVED in the lab. Looked even more intense than the picture in the article. Don't know what he did, but he is a big name in the neuro field, at least he was while I was still in it.
  
• Probably catch A Wrinkle in Time this weekend. My youngest has finished the book so now we're taking her to the movie.

I can't give a thorough scientific explanation, but you can do some research online and come up with a ton. You could start here, or search for "gut-brain connection". One of the points that they make that I find compelling is how our feelings and stomachs interact. If we are hungry, we might have a shorter temper, and if we are very nervous we might need to use the bathroom more. I'm reading a book now that explores this much further, and it's been an amazing read. It explains how all creatures are co-dependent on the microorganisms that live with and in them, and that changing the ecosystem of our microbes can change our health.

Interestingly, I think there's a section in the book I Contain Multitudes about this https://www.amazon.com/Contain-Multitudes-Microbes-Within-Grander/dp/0062368591