# Is human society controlled by brain parasites? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 25, 2012, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945 "2012-02-25T12:01:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Laudenum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/1 "2012-02-25T12:01:35Z")
[This](http://notexactlyrocketscience.wordpress.com/2007/01/14/brain-parasite-drives-human-culture/) article was posted in [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=643120) thread and seems to have gone largely unchallenged. Which in the Dope is unusual. It there any reason to think that a parasite is effecting human behaviour on a global scale? And can we kill it? ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/2 "2012-02-25T12:37:34Z")
Wikipedia has a pretty good writeup on this. It sounds like there’s cause for further investigation, but nothing yet that can properly be called actual research. I don’t know if the parasite can be entirely eliminated from the body. > [@](#): > > The evidence for behavioral effects on humans is controversial.[31] No prospective research has been done on the topic, e.g., testing people before and after infection to ensure that the proposed behavior arises only afterwards. Although some researchers have found potentially important associations with Toxoplasma, the causal relationship, if any, is unknown, i.e., it is possible that these associations merely reflect factors that predispose certain types of people to infection. However, many of the neurobehavioral symptoms that are postulated to be due to toxoplasmosis correlate to the general function of dopamine in the human brain, and the fact that toxoplasma encodes the dopamine synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase makes it likely that neurobehavioral symptoms can result from infection.[32] > These types of studies are suggestive but cannot confirm a causal relationship (because of the possibility, for example, that schizophrenia increases the likelihood of Toxoplasma infection rather than the other way around).[33] ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/3 "2012-02-25T16:46:28Z")
Cats are aliens. And just like human researchers who test new drugs on mice, our feline overlords first perfected this mind control device in mice. With a steady food supply now assured, they could turn their attention to the erstwhile rulers of the planet, humans. That research is ongoing and is well documented in secret feline scientific journals. Meanwhile, they have been perfecting their distribution networks. For example, the big push to adopt shelter animals serves the primary purpose of getting infected animals into as many homes as possible. Pooper scooper laws are designed to maximize the possibility of human contact with infected feces. Even the amount of dust produced when scooping cat litter has been designed to maximize parasite transfer. We are not yet mere thralls to our alien invaders, but they have a well crafted plan that is proceeding on schedule to its ultimate and inexorable conclusion. ---
**Author:** ![4d3fect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/4d3fect/32/9728_2.png) [@4d3fect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/4d3fect)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/4 "2012-02-25T17:02:06Z")
> [@Laudenum](#): > > It there any reason to think that a parasite is effecting human behaviour on a global scale? > And can we kill it? Yes, and their tool of choice, the television, is remarkably efficient at enslavement. We don’t WANT to kill it because we love it so. ---
**Author:** ![iamnotbatman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/858c86/32.png) [@iamnotbatman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamnotbatman)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/5 "2012-02-25T17:20:25Z")
It is an interesting thought experiment. The only reason brain parasites would change our behavior is if it benefited them in some way. What otherwise illogical human behaviors would benefit the reproduction of brain parasites? It depends on the route of transmission, of course. Kissing? Fingernail biting? Anal sex? Foot fetish? The desire to have pets? Let the investigation begin! ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/6 "2012-02-25T19:37:37Z")
> [@iamnotbatman](#): > > It is an interesting thought experiment. The only reason brain parasites would change our behavior is if it benefited them in some way. What otherwise illogical human behaviors would benefit the reproduction of brain parasites? It depends on the route of transmission, of course. Kissing? Fingernail biting? Anal sex? Foot fetish? The desire to have pets? Let the investigation begin! David Brin wrote a story called _The Giving Plague_ involving a disease that spread by blood and induced a desire to donate blood in people. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/7 "2012-02-25T21:45:32Z")
> [@dzero](#): > > Cats are aliens. And just like human researchers who test new drugs on mice, our feline overlords first perfected this mind control device in mice. With a steady food supply now assured, they could turn their attention to the erstwhile rulers of the planet, humans. That research is ongoing and is well documented in secret feline scientific journals. > > Meanwhile, they have been perfecting their distribution networks. For example, the big push to adopt shelter animals serves the primary purpose of getting infected animals into as many homes as possible. Pooper scooper laws are designed to maximize the possibility of human contact with infected feces. Even the amount of dust produced when scooping cat litter has been designed to maximize parasite transfer. > > We are not yet mere thralls to our alien invaders, but they have a well crafted plan that is proceeding on schedule to its ultimate and inexorable conclusion. Great. Today I gotta clean out the cat box. (Tootsie Rolls) I am afraid. VERY afraid. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/8 "2012-02-25T22:27:59Z")
I keep reading the title as: Is human_ **E** _ society controlled by brain parasites? and keep wondering… what the hell? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/9 "2012-02-25T23:10:24Z")
i can haz parasite? ---
**Author:** ![GiantRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@GiantRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GiantRat)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/10 "2012-02-25T23:14:12Z")
There was an [article](http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/03/how-your-cat-is-making-you-crazy/8873/)about this in The Atlantic this past month. ---
**Author:** ![Fatwater\_Fewl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4491bb/32.png) [@Fatwater\_Fewl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fatwater_Fewl)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/11 "2012-02-25T23:40:51Z")
Robert Sapolsky of Stanford talked about the parasite [in a piece](http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/sapolsky09/sapolsky09_index.html) at [Edge.org](http://Edge.org) in 2009 that is worth reading. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/12 "2012-02-25T23:49:37Z")
One of the potential brain effects of toxoplasma infection is confusing correlation with causation. Mee-ow. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/13 "2012-02-26T00:08:51Z")
> [@GiantRat](#): > > There was an [article](http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/03/how-your-cat-is-making-you-crazy/8873/)about this in The Atlantic this past month. What the _fuck?!!_ Sorry. That is just the weirdest thing I’ve read all year. I have to show it to certain friends… ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/14 "2012-02-26T00:16:57Z")
Ha! I knew that dogs (and, by extension, dog people) were superior! Now that we have the truth, what are we going to do about it? Go, Fido! Git that cat! ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/15 "2012-02-26T00:47:07Z")
For some reason, this thread appears as a blank page to me. 😕 …Must…Feed…Cat… ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/16 "2012-02-26T01:40:47Z")
If T. Gondii is so dangerous to unborn foetuses, should pregnant women, as well as avoiding cats litter trays also avoid eating undercooked meat? ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/17 "2012-02-26T02:41:51Z")
> [@GiantRat](#): > > There was an [article](http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/03/how-your-cat-is-making-you-crazy/8873/)about this in The Atlantic this past month. That’s a really cool article, but I’m disturbed that I’m being led to read it by a Giant Rat … ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/18 "2012-02-26T02:52:04Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > For some reason, this thread appears as a blank page to me. 😕 > > **…Must…Feed…Cat…** Who’s a good human. Yes. You are. 😃 > [@Merneith](#): > > That’s a really cool article, but I’m disturbed that I’m being led to read it by a Giant Rat … Well, the enemy of my enemy . . . 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/19 "2012-02-26T04:00:07Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > David Brin wrote a story called _The Giving Plague_ involving a disease that spread by blood and induced a desire to donate blood in people. That’s precisely where my mind went. Good story. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945/20 "2012-02-26T06:51:03Z")
Huh? The disease makes men more even tempered, neurotic and docile, women more nurturing… Infection rate 7% in Britain, 67% in Brazil. Which country do you associate with well behaved population, and which one with rampant crime, gun violence, vicious murders, and wild and crazy women? (And why??? which country do you associate with elderly cat ladies?) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-society-controlled-by-brain-parasites/613945.md?page=2)