So what about humans? A small literature is coming out now reporting neuropsychological testing on men who are Toxo-infected, showing that they get a little bit impulsive. Women less so, and this may have some parallels perhaps with this whole testosterone aspect of the story that we’re seeing. And then the truly astonishing thing: two different groups independently have reported that people who are Toxo-infected have three to four times the likelihood of being killed in car accidents involving reckless speeding.
If the discovery of toxoplasmosis in the early 20th Century has yielded only this much progress so far, I’m horrified at what other things might be lurking inside of us that are altering our perceptions of reality or even compelling us to do things we’re genetically told to avoid. On a somewhat unrelated note, toxoplasmosis may be the reason for Louis Wain‘s schizophrenia; he was famous for the evolution of his cat paintings — they became more psychedelic (and at his worse, they had an almost fractal-like quality) as his condition worsened.
Toxoplasmosis and free will
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that can alter your predatory responses in the amygdala and influence your behavior.
If the discovery of toxoplasmosis in the early 20th Century has yielded only this much progress so far, I’m horrified at what other things might be lurking inside of us that are altering our perceptions of reality or even compelling us to do things we’re genetically told to avoid. On a somewhat unrelated note, toxoplasmosis may be the reason for Louis Wain‘s schizophrenia; he was famous for the evolution of his cat paintings — they became more psychedelic (and at his worse, they had an almost fractal-like quality) as his condition worsened.