Jane Dudley struggled for years with severe bipolar disorder, experiencing multiple hospitalizations and debilitating symptoms. Desperate for relief, she began administering homemade faecal microbiota transplants (FMT) using her husband Alex’s stool eight years ago.
The treatment, made by blending and sieving Alex’s feces into enemas, surprisingly brought Jane lasting improvements — no manic episodes since 2017, and a renewed sense of joy and motivation.
Her psychiatrist called the recovery “bordering on miraculous,” and experts say it could signal a breakthrough in treating mental illness by targeting the gut microbiome. However, medical professionals warn that DIY FMT carries serious risks, including infections or autoimmune reactions, if donors are not properly screened.
Jane and Alex now advocate for urgent funding to run clinical trials at Deakin University’s Food and Mood Centre, aiming to validate FMT as a safe, effective treatment for bipolar disorder and depression. Jane says the treatment has saved her government support costs and dramatically improved her quality of life.
Their story began with a chance encounter over a frog and grew into a powerful example of how gut health might influence mental wellbeing. Jane credits Alex’s love and determination for her recovery and hopes scientific research will confirm and expand this treatment’s potential.
READ MORE
Why Suicide Rates Are High in Bipolar Disorder and How to Help
