fbpx

Microbiome, Anxiety, & Cognitive Orientation Study

Contribute to our research and receive monetary compensation. Simply fill out the registration form below for details. 

Compensation for participation in the MACO Study is available upon study completion, including your personal COBI Report, courtesy of Endominance.

MACO Study Important Notice

MACO Study registration is now closed! Thank you all for your interest, and we ask that you please complete your survey and sample collections as soon as possible if you’ve registered. 

Your microbiome sample must be received by June 29th to qualify for $40 compensation. Please note that your sample may take approximately 3-4 days to reach our lab through the shipping process. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at microbiome.study@endominance.com or send a text to 1-855-STUDY-55. We’re here to assist you!

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. We look forward to receiving your completed microbiome sample soon. 

About this research

The purpose of this research is to better understand how gut bacteria may affect the brain and how they may be associated with anxious human behavior and cognitive traits.

Can the human gut influence someone’s mental health? What about their worldview or behavior? Mounting evidence shows that the gut microbiota plays a vital role in our communication within the gut-brain axis.
  • Adults 18 years of age or older
  • US residents (excluding Hawaii and Alaska)
  • English comprehension to provide consent
  • Participation in this study is fully remote
  • All information collected is confidential and anonymous
  • There is no cost to participate in this study
  • Your participation will last approximately 70 minutes
  • There is no direct benefit to you from participating in this study
  • There are no expected serious risks in this study
  • Receive a microbiome (stool) sample kit in the mail
  • Collect a microbiome (stool) sample and mail it in the self-addressed packaging – see instructions
  • Complete one online health survey
  • Complete one online cognitive assessment

1-855-STUDY-55 • microbiome.study@endominance.com

Our Partners

Past Research

A recent study on mice found that a specific microbe-produced molecule, 4-ethylphenyl sulfate (4EPS), can induce anxious behavior (Needham, B.D. et al., 2022). The molecule 4-ethylphenol (4EP) is produced by gut microbes in mice and humans. An enzyme in the colon and liver converts 4EP to 4EPS, circulating in the blood (NIH).

Among other significant findings, both papers revealed that higher 4-EPS levels may strongly be associated with anxiety levels. However, anxiety is far more complicated than changes in a single molecule.

Helping to Reduce Anxiety

Mounting evidence shows that the gut microbiota plays an important role in communication within the gut-brain axis. However, the relationship between gut microbiota and their influence on anxiety is still not fully understood. There are many factors to consider when it comes to anxiety, including how humans perceive their environment.

Our primary goal is to better understand the effects 4-EPS has on human anxiety behavior and the role cognitive orientation has in connection to anxiety. With this in mind, we hypothesize that even though higher 4-EPS levels may be associated with anxiety levels in humans, such levels may be more prominent (severe) or less pronounced (less severe) in humans with variations in cognitive orientation.

Who We Are

Taking on a research project of this magnitude requires a team of experts.

Dr. John Ratey, an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry will supervise the research.

Our expert research team at Endominance will gather and analyze the cognitive, general health, and psychological data via survey, and the biological samples will be gathered using microbiome testing kits from HEM.

Testimonials