A few years ago, two Australians underwent a treatment called faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), whereby they received poop transplants (yes, you read that right) from another individual. Both had been long-term sufferers of bipolar disorder, and had tried various treatment methods over the years to no avail. Since the FMT, reports have shown that both patients no longer experience bipolar symptoms.
If the words “faecal transplant” are making you baulk, think again – after all, there is growing evidence that they can help cure extreme cases of mental health disorders.
“FMT is a comprehensive approach where faecal material from a healthy donor, containing a diverse community of bacteria, is transplanted into the recipient’s gut,” explains Gwendoline Tan, chief innovation officer at Amili, a gut microbiome company and research lab based in Singapore.
But don’t go calling your gastroenterologist just yet.
