Summer 2022 Studies

We are accepting applicants for two different experiments this summer, feel free to apply to one or both.

Willpower Study

Why do some people have tremendous willpower while others are slaves to their whims? Is it purely habit? Genetics? Or is the gut microbiome somehow involved?

In this study we will examine the gut microbiome's role in willpower. Specifically we are seeking participants who have some issue they could use more willpower in overcoming - they will then be provided fresh, strong probiotics every week for six weeks and report their progress in overcoming their issue through a quick daily check in over text message. Participants will be paid $25 per week for the duration of the study (payment delivered weekly).

We've done several casual experiments already and have seen good success in those individuals, so we decided it's time to do a formal study and see if the hypothesis holds through a true double-blind study.

If you have an issue you would like microbiological help in overcoming and are interested in participating in this study, please sign up below!

Internal Dialogue Study

Recently on various internet forums a discussion has popped up - do you or do you not have an internal dialogue? Some people are able to think in words - they can sort of "talk to themselves" in their own head, and use this to plan for the future and reflect on the past. Some people, however, it seems do not have this ability, and instead "live in the moment". Similarly, some people can visualize images in their head while others cannot.

We believe the people without an internal dialogue actually do have one, it is simply paralyzed - likely by a higher stress burden than their peers that do have an internal dialogue. We believe this extra stress comes from an unbalanced gut microbiome, and that if this balance is corrected, their internal dialogue will become unparalyzed and they will be able to relax and "talk to themselves" like their less-stressed peers do.

For this study, participants will be given fresh, strong probiotics every week for six weeks total, and we will do daily check-ins via text message to monitor stress levels and check for the emergence of an internal dialogue. Participants will be paid $25 per week for the duration of the study.

If you are interested in participating in the study and potentially unlocking your internal dialogue, please sign up below!