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Back in 2015, I was a subject in a Stanford research study where I submitted daily microbiome samples before/after a colon gut cleanse. I sent an identical sample to a DTC microbiome startup and sure enough, the results match 🧵

In return for submitting microbiome samples for a Stanford research study, I was promised the raw Phyloseq data from the lab. I'm happy to say that last week the lab gave me my results!

1. My gut microbiome recovers pretty quickly. Unlike antibiotics, which can cause long-term (and possibly permanent) changes, losing bacteria this way seems to matter only for a day or two. The missing microbes sprout right back just like a haircut. In two weeks it was as if nothing had happened.

2. Amounts and ratios changed, but not the specific organisms. Of course I lost a bunch of bacteria – that was the point – but surprisingly I didn’t seem to gain anything really new, even after an aggressive attempt at re-seeding. I didn’t gain or lose a single phyla.

3. It’s pretty hard to make a significant change. I’m a healthy, reasonably fit adult, so I’m not as motivated as somebody with a specific health problem, but I thought simply popping probiotics and eating a variety of new and fermented foods would have a big effect. Nope.