Empathy Experiment

In this experiment, we will investigate the gut microbiome's role in empathy between individuals. The data from our Summer 2021 telepathy experiment indicated that people with a similar gut microbiome might be viewing one another as if they were themselves. If this holds true, then if two people have similar gut microbiomes they should be more likely to show favor to each other as opposed to a third person with a more different gut microbiome.

To test this we will split the group into two - 50% will receive a probiotic drink and 50% will receive a placebo. Every day they will take their drink and log into the website where they will select from 12 pairs of unlabeled buttons. Each button represents another participant in the study and will award them $.25 if they are chosen/clicked. The theory is that people who are taking the probiotic will be more likely to gift each other the money, and gifts from the placebo group will be distributed at random.

Testing will continue daily for four weeks and can be done entirely remotely. Participants will be furnished with fresh probiotics/placebo drinks on a weekly basis during the course of the experiment. There will be a guaranteed minimum pay of $25/wk for each participant.