The Loss of Empathy (and how you can bring it back)

People of the 21st century have lost empathy, as well as experiencing more social isolation, divorce, and suicide than prior decades--but why? Psychologists talk about lack of community, the dissolution of traditional families, over-reliance on technology, all of which are undoubtedly important contributors. But could there be a physical factor that could contribute to these social phenomena? And, if so, can it be remedied? I talk about how modern humans have lost a crucial microbial species from our intestinal microbiomes that, when replaced, restores the hormone oxytocin, the hormone of love, empathy, social connection, and youthfulness.Support the Show.Books: Super Gut: The 4-Week Plan to Reprogram Your Microbiome, Restore Health, and Lose Weight Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight and Find Your Path Back to Health; revised & expanded ed