Is a Parasite Controlling Your Mind?
Thankfully, the parasites I�ve discussed so far do not infect humans; their telepathic abilities are used on snails and ants instead. However, there is one parasite that some scientists believe may be influencing human behaviour. And about one in three of us are infected6.
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite whose normal life cycle takes it from cat to mouse and back again. It reproduces inside the digestive system of the cat, exiting through faeces, which is then consumed by mice and rats. Once inside its secondary host, T.gondii starts to manipulate behaviour, making the host more daring and risk-averse. Parasitized rodents, far from being scared of the odour of cats, are actively attracted to it7. Ultimately, this daredevil behaviour tends to get the rat or mouse eaten, returning the parasite to its primary host, the cat.