You can ‘catch’ partner’s depression through the kiss.

(Photo of SilverkblackStock in the shutter stock)

Tehran- Marriage means sharing life with a special person. But according to a new study in Iran, the couple can share more than they have traded.

A study of Iran’s newlyweds showed that partner’s oral bacteria actually turned into their mirrors when a spouse suffered from depression and anxiety. As these microorganisms move, the atmosphere and sleep patterns of a healthy partner are also moved.

After six months of marriage, a healthy spouse had a high percentage of depression, anxiety and sleep problems when partners called “depression anxiety phenomena”.

“Oral microorganisms between individuals in close contact are partially intermediate with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Survey and hypothesis of medicine. The journal pointed out that the exploratory study published by IT said, “It is not necessary to be comprehensive and decisive, but the research design must be solid, the methodology must be reliable, the result should be true, and the hypothesis should be justified as a reasonable and evidence.

Bacteria jump between partners

You can potentially exchange millions of bacteria whenever you kiss your spouse, share your meals, or breathe the same air in your nearer quarter. Most bacterial exchange is harmless or even beneficial. However, this study points out the path that the mental health state spreads between intimate partners.

Researchers, led by Independent Research Institute Reza RastManesh, tracked a couple who were married for an average of six months. They recruited 1,740 couples from two personal sleep clinics in Tehran between February and October 2024, comparing 268 healthy spouses and 268 partners with depression, anxiety and sleeping problems. Both groups provided saliva samples to take standardized mental health tests and measure stress hormones, and analyzed oral bacteria using advanced DNA sequencing technology.

When this study began, a healthy spouse scored normally in the test of depression, anxiety and sleep quality. After living with the affected partner for six months, their scores have risen considerably.

What was more revealed was what happened to their mouth bacteria. Oral Microbai Om (the microbial community in our mouth) began to be similar to the depressed and anxious partner of a healthy spouse. Researchers use the technology of linear discrimination analysis to Cloak,,, Bailo Nella,,, bacillusand Lachnospiraceae Both partners are richer.

This bacteria are not random. Previous studies have linked these same microorganisms with brain disorders, including depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. Scientists believe that this bacteria can damage the blood-brain barrier or affect the brain through the “oral microbial gun-brain axis.”

Women have a stronger effect

Female spouses seemed to be more vulnerable to these changes than men, and after six months, depression, anxiety and sleep issues increased significantly and showed greater changes in the creation of oral bacteria.

This study also measured cortisols, often called “stress hormones” in the saliva of the participants. Healthy spouses who are married to depressed and unstable partners indicate that the cortisol levels have increased significantly over six months, indicating that the stress response system is being activated.

This bacterial transmission theory is based on existing studies that show how couples are biologically synchronized. During the conversation, heart rate can be aligned, sleep patterns often reflect each other, and shares similar daily cortisol rhythms. The new thing here is that mental health can spread through bacterial exchange.

This means treatment

This discovery can reconstruct what we think about treating depression and anxiety in our relationship. Medical service providers may need to be considered a couple instead of focusing only on individual patients.

This study is based on powerful evidence of animal research, which scientists transplanted the intestinal bacteria from depressed animals to a healthy mouse. Other studies have shown that bacteria such as probiotics can improve their moods and reduce anxiety.

Of course, there is a limit to this study. The researchers followed the couple for six months and did not explain other factors such as major living events, similar diets or lifestyle changes that came with marriage. Participants also knew that they were studying, which could affect the response to mental health questionnaire.

Since this study is performed with couples who use Persian in Iran, the results may not be universally applied. The study discovered a strong correlation between bacterial changes and mental health symptoms, but bacteria have changed the mood.

This discovery provides both concern and hope. No one wants to think about “catching” partner’s depression, but understanding this potential mechanism can cause better treatment. If bacterial imbalances contribute to mental health problems, targeted probiotics or other microorganisms can provide new treatment options.

This study also strengthens the observations of wedding counselors and therapists for a long time. The mental health state affects not only individuals but also the whole family. This study provides biological evidence for its clinical experience.

In a close relationship, the couple can share more than what you know, including a fine effect on mental health.