6 ms·

It's not a theoretical concern. Take toxoplasmosis, which affects nearly half the human population and has measurable effects on human behavior. https://www.nc

It's not a theoretical concern. Take toxoplasmosis, which affects nearly half the human population and has measurable effects on human behavior. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2526142/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2526142/

foobiekr 6y ago
I've been curious for awhile and have failed to find references to how quickly the body clears toxoplasma gondii; I have read on and off about the vaccine work there, and it seems that once you've been infected re-infection does not occur. It's surprisingly hard to find papers on clearance, but also hard to find papers on long term effects vs. effects while actively infected.
- lima 6y ago
  Toxoplasmosis is a chronic infection that is never fully cleared from the body. There is some evidence that the length of the infection correlates with strength of symptoms.
  - foobiekr 6y ago
    Ah. That does explain it.
andi999 6y ago
I was thinking about toxoplasmosis as well. Another example is syphilis (std), it is reported to lead in a certain phase to extremely good mood, which helps transmission.
tuesdayrain 6y ago
Toxoplasmosis being commonly carried by cats is one of the main reasons I will never own one. I am certain it's not a coincidence that cat scratches are associated with depression. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4700762/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4700762/
- Johnjonjoan 6y ago
  Interesting. I am not so certain. Scratching tends to happen when you play fight with a cat. I would expect people who could be described as depressed would care less about being scratched by a cat than those that aren't and are therefore more likely to be scratched. Also the conclusion of the study you linked is that toxoplasmosis isn't linked to depression but scratching is. I found this unexpected given the wording of your post. Edit: also when you clip a cat's claws it can't really scratch you. I'd also assume someone who can be described as depressed is less likely to clip or get their cats claws clipped often enough to prevent scratches.
  - hhas01 6y ago
    Fairly sure that even thinking of clipping a cat’s claws is the dictionary definition of “scratched all to f#ck”. I’d also suggest that the toxo-inflicted depression will be offset by the many added joys of being personally owned by a furry, purry, and only occasionally—ow, sharp!—bundle of utterly adorable fluff. Which is to say, humans are a bit more complex than ants, thus effects will be a lot less clear-cut.
    - Johnjonjoan 6y ago
      Thanks for the chuckle. I agree with your suggestion.
    - cityroasted 6y ago
      It is much easier to clip my cat's claws than my Chihuahua's. I think it depends on the cat.
    - celrod 6y ago
      Note that the article supports your point: the number of cats at home had a negative effect on depression (p = 0.021). Suggesting that getting a cat is a good idea for someone concerned about depression. Of course, it may be that depressed people are less willing to take on the responsibility of pet ownership.
feikname 6y ago
Correlation doesn't prove causation though. From the article linked: > Alternate explanations for the effects of T. gondii on humans cannot be ruled out. It is possible, eg, that individuals with certain personality characteristics behave in a manner that makes it more likely that they will become infected.
- hluska 6y ago
  Here’s some anecdata for you!! I hated cats until we got our first. At the time, I was in the midst of deep situational anxiety - a few days before we had just found out that a nuchal scan on my daughter detected a possible abnormality. That was a situation I had absolutely no control over but I tend towards being obsessive. As my anxiety increases, I get more and more obsessive. Bitey became the focus of that. Having a new little kitten gave me something to focus on aside from my fears. Today, my daughter is four. Everything turned out great and she’s just the most wonderful little person I’ve ever met. But now I’m designing a cat tower with a fountain. I don’t know if I have toxoplasmosis but if I did, that would sound like I’m a crazy cat middle aged dude. But, I was obsessive before and now I just love cats. Or I’m in denial. It’s your choice!! :)
  - GoblinSlayer 6y ago
    Well, I hate dogs and never owned one too.

foobiekr 6y ago

I've been curious for awhile and have failed to find references to how quickly the body clears toxoplasma gondii; I have read on and off about the vaccine work there, and it seems that once you've been infected re-infection does not occur. It's surprisingly hard to find papers on clearance, but also hard to find papers on long term effects vs. effects while actively infected.

lima 6y ago
Toxoplasmosis is a chronic infection that is never fully cleared from the body. There is some evidence that the length of the infection correlates with strength of symptoms.
- foobiekr 6y ago
  Ah. That does explain it.

andi999 6y ago

I was thinking about toxoplasmosis as well. Another example is syphilis (std), it is reported to lead in a certain phase to extremely good mood, which helps transmission.

tuesdayrain 6y ago

Toxoplasmosis being commonly carried by cats is one of the main reasons I will never own one. I am certain it's not a coincidence that cat scratches are associated with depression. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4700762/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4700762/

Johnjonjoan 6y ago
Interesting. I am not so certain. Scratching tends to happen when you play fight with a cat. I would expect people who could be described as depressed would care less about being scratched by a cat than those that aren't and are therefore more likely to be scratched. Also the conclusion of the study you linked is that toxoplasmosis isn't linked to depression but scratching is. I found this unexpected given the wording of your post. Edit: also when you clip a cat's claws it can't really scratch you. I'd also assume someone who can be described as depressed is less likely to clip or get their cats claws clipped often enough to prevent scratches.
- hhas01 6y ago
  Fairly sure that even thinking of clipping a cat’s claws is the dictionary definition of “scratched all to f#ck”. I’d also suggest that the toxo-inflicted depression will be offset by the many added joys of being personally owned by a furry, purry, and only occasionally—ow, sharp!—bundle of utterly adorable fluff. Which is to say, humans are a bit more complex than ants, thus effects will be a lot less clear-cut.
  - Johnjonjoan 6y ago
    Thanks for the chuckle. I agree with your suggestion.
  - cityroasted 6y ago
    It is much easier to clip my cat's claws than my Chihuahua's. I think it depends on the cat.
  - celrod 6y ago
    Note that the article supports your point: the number of cats at home had a negative effect on depression (p = 0.021). Suggesting that getting a cat is a good idea for someone concerned about depression. Of course, it may be that depressed people are less willing to take on the responsibility of pet ownership.

feikname 6y ago

Correlation doesn't prove causation though. From the article linked: > Alternate explanations for the effects of T. gondii on humans cannot be ruled out. It is possible, eg, that individuals with certain personality characteristics behave in a manner that makes it more likely that they will become infected.

hluska 6y ago
Here’s some anecdata for you!! I hated cats until we got our first. At the time, I was in the midst of deep situational anxiety - a few days before we had just found out that a nuchal scan on my daughter detected a possible abnormality. That was a situation I had absolutely no control over but I tend towards being obsessive. As my anxiety increases, I get more and more obsessive. Bitey became the focus of that. Having a new little kitten gave me something to focus on aside from my fears. Today, my daughter is four. Everything turned out great and she’s just the most wonderful little person I’ve ever met. But now I’m designing a cat tower with a fountain. I don’t know if I have toxoplasmosis but if I did, that would sound like I’m a crazy cat middle aged dude. But, I was obsessive before and now I just love cats. Or I’m in denial. It’s your choice!! :)
- GoblinSlayer 6y ago
  Well, I hate dogs and never owned one too.