Why A Common Brain Parasite Would Cause Its Host To Commit Suicide

If you are unfamiliar with Toxoplasma Gondii, Toxoplasmosis or Toxoplasma infection you can learn more at www.cdc.gov...

Although estimated that one third of the world's population are infected with Toxoplasma gondii, but the most common form of the disease is latent (asymptomatic). On the other hand, recent findings indicated that latent toxoplasmosis is not only unsafe for human, but also may play various roles in the etiology of different mental disorders.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

In a separate article, newly published in the March 2015 issue of the popular science magazine Scientific American MIND, Sullivan and IU School of Medicine colleague Gustavo Arrizabalaga, professor of pharmacology and toxicology and of microbiology and immunology, describe research by others dating back to the 1980s showing that rodents infected with Toxoplasma behave differently, including not only being unafraid of cat odors, but actually attracted to them. In effect, research suggests, Toxoplasma modifies the host rodents' brains so that the animals will be eaten and the parasites can make their way to the cat intestinal system -- the only place where Toxoplasma can sexually reproduce.

Intriguingly -- and much more speculatively, Arrizabalaga and Sullivan warn -- some research has suggested that Toxoplasma infection could alter human behavior, and that changes could vary by gender. One study found that infected men tend to be introverted, suspicious and rebellious, while infected women tended to be extraverted, trusting and obedient. Others have suggested an association with schizophrenia.

inside.iu.edu...

Women infected with the cat parasite Toxoplasma gondii are more likely to attempt suicide than non-infected women, new research finds. The reason for this connection, however, remains mysterious.

A statistical analysis turned up a link between suicide attempts and parasite infection, such that an increasing number of T. gondii antibodies were linked with an increasing risk of attempts, especially violent attempts. When looking at just attempted suicides, researchers found women who were infected were 1.8 times more likely to attempt suicide by violent means than uninfected women.

www.livescience.com...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Relevant ATS threads:
A THEORY on the dramatic increase of suicide rates in the Military
Brain parasite epidemic - 50% of us are infected

Conclusion:
If the information above is correct it would appear that the common parasite called Toxoplasma Gondii manipulates the behavior of its host in order to increase its chance of finding a new host by potentially causing an irrational decision costing the victim their life. This parasite may intentionally cause the host to commit suicide or cause the host to unknowingly head into a dangerous situation resulting in death to allow for the parasites to reproduce and spread to any new potential host that consumes it.

a reply to: gmoneystunt

I hope they continue research on this topic so they can gather more empirical data to show correlation here. Could be a game changer for treatment of mental illness if it is something that could be treated (anti-parasitic treatments?)

On a personal note, I think I'm infected. Suspicious, rebellious, introverted... uh oh.

I have absolutely no intention of ever committing suicide though - so if I "do" it's because they got me and made it out to look like that.

originally posted by: FamCore

if it is something that could be treated (anti-parasitic treatments?)

I read somewhere that treatments for Malaria may also help treat this.

a reply to: FamCore

I have absolutely no intention of ever committing suicide though - so if I "do" it's because they got me and made it out to look like that.

Good covering your arse there mate!

They won't rig your car now you've said that!

There is a correlation with incidence of mental illness such as schizophrenia and since it became more popular for people to begin keeping domestic cats as pets (France 1800's).

The illness has always been around of course, either normal chemical imbalance induced, or external chemicals like Ergot poisoning..but numbers began to rise once people started to keep cats.

a reply to: gmoneystunt

Reminds me of the movie The Happening

a reply to: gmoneystunt

How do you KILL it?

In a separate article, newly published in the March 2015 issue of the popular science magazine Scientific American MIND, Sullivan and IU School of Medicine colleague Gustavo Arrizabalaga, professor of pharmacology and toxicology and of microbiology and immunology, describe research by others dating back to the 1980s showing that rodents infected with Toxoplasma behave differently, including not only being unafraid of cat odors, but actually attracted to them. In effect, research suggests, Toxoplasma modifies the host rodents' brains so that the animals will be eaten and the parasites can make their way to the cat intestinal system -- the only place where Toxoplasma can sexually reproduce.

Is it just me?

Or is this highly researched, expert opinion just speculation that makes people want to commit suicide because rats lose their fear of cats?

Imo, lots of reasons people use to justify suicide. Blaming it on a virus is one way of deflecting from the reality… life sucks. "Common brain Parasites" didn't cause all the crime, poverty, endless war, debt, etc. The gubment let that stuff happen.

Chalk this up along side the war on terror, bermuda triangle and chemtrail BS.

Intriguingly -- and much more speculatively, Arrizabalaga and Sullivan warn -- some research has suggested that Toxoplasma infection could alter human behavior, and that changes could vary by gender. One study found that infected men tend to be introverted, suspicious and rebellious, while infected women tended to be extraverted, trusting and obedient. Others have suggested an association with schizophrenia.

Speculating from 'one study suggests' doesn't do it for me, sorry.

originally posted by: intrptr

Is it just me?

Or is this highly researched, expert opinion just speculation that makes people want to commit suicide because rats lose their fear of cats?

I don't think it is either opinion or speculation. There is correlation between suicide and brain parasites. Check the link I gave for Livescience and the one below it.

originally posted by: infolurker
a reply to: gmoneystunt

How do you KILL it?

For a home remedy, I would maybe consider woodworm and black walnut hull extract

a reply to: intrptr

Sure, there are lots of reasons for people to either go the full hog and commit suicide or act in dangerously reckless ways.

Not all of it is down to this infection of course.

What they're saying is those who are infected with the parasite tend to be more reckless, take greater risks and place themselves in dangerous situations more often than those who are uninfected would do.

If everyone who was infected with this thing all became suicidal, you'd be looking at between 150 million - 200 million corpses in the US alone.

And that doesn't happen of course, so it doesn't mean a death sentence if you have been infected, it's just something to keep in mind (no pun) when faced with potentially damaging or dangerous choices in life.

This could be a sleeper cause to a lot of problems with people. I wouldn't put my money on our medical industry addressing this correctly and ridding our bodies of this parasite. The income from treating symptoms is a lot greater than the income from curing the people. So they will ignore the possibility and not tell their patients about this possibility. There is no law that makes a doctor tell his patient things like this, in fact, if they do mention something like this parasite with no evidence, they could be scrutinized.

I wonder what the best natural remedy for purging this microorganism out of the body would be. I would say that juicing or blending certain veggies would do the trick as a purge.

a reply to: rickymouse

The parasite likes to hide in the brain of the host until the immune system is low. For example you may have pneumonia and the parasites will then attack possibly contributing to death. Veggies do not typically cure parasites.

Kill internal parasites easily with these 8 herbs

a reply to: gmoneystunt

Actually my pet cat cheer's me up though for some reason at full moon I get this urge to sit on the garden fence mewling (really I do but the neighbours would probably call the police if they saw a six foot 18 stone guy perched on top of the garden fence in the moonlight mewling at the moon).

Seriously if it affect's rat's, cat's and human's we do need a cure as such a parasite is naturally tailoring it's host species for it's own survival in a evolutionary adaptation of both the parasite and the host.

IT may not be possible but I would like to see scientific study on IQ affects of this parasite as like some fungus that infect us it may be far from benign so I actually do accept that study as legitimate even though I love cat's, dog's, budgies, fish and pet's in general.

a reply to: gmoneystunt

Very interesting, I did some research on thyme from that link. I never correlated thyme to the thymus gland stimulation. With my autoimmune problems, it might be of importance to experiment with thyme to find what effect it has on my immune system. I usually do not crave the taste of things with thyme on them like I do with onion and garlic. I crave sage and rosemary and use those about once a week. I need to figure out if thyme can regulate the gland.

originally posted by: rickymouse

autoimmune problems, it might be of importance to experiment with thyme to find what effect it has on my immune system.

Here is a few links that may help but I would really consider stinging nettle:

Re-Grow Your Thymus Gland with Colostrum

Patients with Lupus and other auto-immune disorders suffering from joint pain experience relief from drinking a cup of nettle tea or eating stewed nettle leaves daily. Learn more: www.naturalnews.com...

Chlorella can rid the body of heavy metals that can contribute to autoimmune disease

ETA: Look into Kelp (iodine)

originally posted by: LABTECH767

IT may not be possible but I would like to see scientific study on IQ affects of this parasite as like some fungus that infect us it may be far from benign so I actually do accept that study as legitimate even though I love cat's, dog's, budgies, fish and pet's in general.

I would imagine it would have an effect on IQ. The waste produced by parasites is toxic and can ironically cause fungus to grow (candida overgrowth.)

originally posted by: gmoneystunt

originally posted by: infolurker
a reply to: gmoneystunt

How do you KILL it?

For a home remedy, I would maybe consider woodworm and black walnut hull extract

I would like to elaborate on my choice of woodworm and black walnut extract. Certain anti-parasitic herbs can cure specific parasites. Pau d Arco is very effective for tapeworms for about $10. My research has led me to woodworm and black walnut extract as the best possible cure for about $25. If anyone can elaborate on this? Or give another Home Remedy. I think I read somewhere that it may be possible to test for Toxoplasmosis also. Try asking your doctor. I asked my doctor about cures for parasites and I was told they have no knowledge on it.

ETA: I may also do more research on Pine Bark(Pycnogenol) . It may also work. I think these parasites can also have the potential to hibernate in the spine and the nervous system.

a reply to: MysterX

it's just something to keep in mind (no pun) when faced with potentially damaging or dangerous choices in life.

Or one more excuse, depending how you look at it.

Kind of timely, too. Consider the questions in everyones head about the co pilot of that plane…
everyone wants an answer, how can any one do that? Oh, its parasites.

Case solved.

Gives a whole new meaning to 'gone buggy'.

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: MysterX

it's just something to keep in mind (no pun) when faced with potentially damaging or dangerous choices in life.

Or one more excuse, depending how you look at it.

Kind of timely, too. Consider the questions in everyones head about the co pilot of that plane…
everyone wants an answer, how can any one do that? Oh, its parasites.

Case solved.

Gives a whole new meaning to 'gone buggy'.

I really don't want to go off topic but was the co pilot on pharmaceuticals?

originally posted by: gmoneystunt

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: MysterX

it's just something to keep in mind (no pun) when faced with potentially damaging or dangerous choices in life.

Or one more excuse, depending how you look at it.

Kind of timely, too. Consider the questions in everyones head about the co pilot of that plane…
everyone wants an answer, how can any one do that? Oh, its parasites.

Case solved.

Gives a whole new meaning to 'gone buggy'.

I really don't want to go off topic but was the co pilot on pharmaceuticals?

You're right about off topic, sorry. I don't know.