Calgary study examines connection between poop pills and mental health [Video]

Could the answer to overcoming serious depression be found in a pill made from poop?

A research team from the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) is launching a study to investigate the potential link between gut bacteria and depression, and whether downing a supplement of fecal matter could help with treatment. 

“We are tapping into the gut-brain axis and power of the microbiome as a way to improve life and unlock new treatment options for individuals struggling with a variety of psychiatric conditions,” said Dr. Valerie Taylor, a member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the CSM.

The study will explore the use of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) as a treatment for Major Depressive Disorder.

FMT is a procedure in which healthy stool is transferred into the gut of a patient with a health condition. 

While it is already used to treat severe stomach problems, researchers are curious if it …