The Lovebug Effect: Is the human biophilic drive influenced by interactions between the host, the environment, and the microbiome?

The Science of the Total Environment
Jake M Robinson, Martin F Breed

Abstract

Psychological frameworks are often used to investigate the mechanisms involved with our affinity towards, and connection with nature--such as the Biophilia Hypothesis and Nature Connectedness. Recent revelations from microbiome science suggest that animal behaviour can be strongly influenced by the host's microbiome--for example, via the bidirectional communication properties of the gut-brain axis. Here, we build on this theory to hypothesise that a microbially-influenced mechanism could also contribute to the human biophilic drive - the tendency for humans to affiliate and connect with nature. Humans may be at an evolutionary advantage through health-regulating exchange of environmental microbiota, which in turn could influence our nature affinity. We present a conceptual model for microbially-influenced nature affinity, calling it the Lovebug Effect. We present an overview of the potential mechanistic pathways involved in the Lovebug Effect, and consider its dependence on the hologenome concept of evolution, direct behavioural manipulation, and host-microbiota associated phenotypes independent of these concepts. We also discuss its implications for human health and ecological resilience. Finally, we highlight several possible...Continue Reading

Citations

Mar 9, 2021·The Science of the Total Environment·Joel E BrameMartin F Breed
Aug 10, 2021·Frontiers in Psychology·Giuseppe Barbiero, Rita Berto

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