The Archive

Parasite for sore eyes

Good Lord, why was I not told about this before?

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that likes to live in cats.

In order to get to these cats, it takes up residence in a mouse. Whilst there, it sticks its finger in the mouse's brain and affects its behaviour.

Basically, it makes the mouse stop being afraid of cats. Consequently, the mouse is rather more likely to be caught and eaten by a moggy, which is exactly what the parasite wants.

But it gets better.

The parasite can live in basically any warm blooded creature. Like people, for example.

And it seems that the parasite can affect our behaviour too.

In a study, men who had this parasite at the helm were found to have a shorter attention span, increased risk-taking behaviour, be more jealous and overall be less attractive to women.

Women likewise infected, on the other hand, were found to be more promiscuous, more outgoing and overall MORE attractive to men.

So firstly, women, don't bother with that diet or makeover, just get yourself a nice parasitic infection.

And secondly, OH MY GOD, we're being driven by single cell parasites and we probably don't even know it.

And before you think 'well I'm sure this is quite a rare condition', a quick google tells me that it is estimated that 40% of people are carrying this wee beastie.

40%!

The parasites are in charge people.

posted by Peter The Great @ 11:26 AM