Parasites controling your cravings. How true?

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  • richardheath
    richardheath Posts: 1,276 Member
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    Parasites can sure be fascinating! There is a fluke that infects the "brain" of ants and makes them climb to the top of a piece of grass and hang on all night, waiting to be eaten by a cow so the fluke can infect the cow.

    Dicrocoelium_LifeCycle.gif

    But I don't think any of these have been correlated with any specific craving issues in humans.
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
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    Am I the only nerd here thinking about Stargate? :happy:

    No really though, as it's already been said, there are parasites that can get into your intestines but you'd notice weight loss and other gastrointestinal issues from what I understand and I'm pretty sure they don't control your mind. So you can rest easy.

    TEAL'C!
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,229 Member
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    Am I the only nerd here thinking about Stargate? :happy:

    No... my mind immediately went to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. I blame all my sugar cravings on the symbiont parasite in my body. He eatZ all the SUGARZ!
  • Desterknee
    Desterknee Posts: 1,056 Member
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    I think you've been playing too much Resident Evil 4 and 5.
  • beachlover317
    beachlover317 Posts: 2,848 Member
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    Wow. I now have a "Doctor Formulated Homeopathic Parasite Cleanse - Vaxa" as my ad on the side. :laugh: :laugh: :noway:
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
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    Actually, despite all the fun gifs and jokes this is partially true.

    There are a few parasites and diseases that can influence your thinking.

    There is toxoplasmosis. Or the crazy cat lady parasite. Read here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121206203240.htm

    Rage is a mind altering disease prior to killing you. But don't worry about that one, if you catch it you are going to shortly die.

    Neurosyphilis can also affect the brain processes in early stages as a disinhibition process or result in periods of euphoria.
    Several books of research cover this.

    Recent research also suggests that gut bacteria influence cognitive processes.
    http://scienceblogs.com/neurophilosophy/2011/03/25/gut-bacteria-may-influence-thoughts-and-behaviour/

    Happy reading. What's your concern?

    Edit: if you think bacteria are controlling cravings - please link the video or source - my current thinking is "no"
  • whosfat1
    whosfat1 Posts: 4 Member
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    Hey, love the Cage video!!! Great response.....
  • cmeiron
    cmeiron Posts: 1,599 Member
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    Parasites can sure be fascinating! There is a fluke that infects the "brain" of ants and makes them climb to the top of a piece of grass and hang on all night, waiting to be eaten by a cow so the fluke can infect the cow.

    Dicrocoelium_LifeCycle.gif

    But I don't think any of these have been correlated with any specific craving issues in humans.

    This sort of thing IS common with arthropods (insects, etc.), and yeah, it's hella-cool. Here's one insect-parasite system I'm studying that shows a similar kind of mind-control: http://thebuggeek.com/2011/11/30/mind-controlling-beetle-parasite/ It's awwwwesome. (But has nothing to do with humans :P)
  • AmykinsCatfood
    AmykinsCatfood Posts: 599 Member
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    Ooh ooh ooh! This reminds me of the episode of Futurama where fry eats the bad egg salad and gets infected with worms that make him super healthy, and smart. I can has those ones?!

    Parasites_Lost.jpg
  • Sovictorrious
    Sovictorrious Posts: 770 Member
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    Not sure...but I am pretty sure the demons control mine.
  • gmhaggie06
    gmhaggie06 Posts: 207
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    Dammit, who let Tom Cruise back on MFP?
  • highervibes
    highervibes Posts: 2,219 Member
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    Actually, despite all the fun gifs and jokes this is partially true.

    There are a few parasites and diseases that can influence your thinking.

    There is toxoplasmosis. Or the crazy cat lady parasite. Read here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121206203240.htm

    Rage is a mind altering disease prior to killing you. But don't worry about that one, if you catch it you are going to shortly die.

    Neurosyphilis can also affect the brain processes in early stages as a disinhibition process or result in periods of euphoria.
    Several books of research cover this.

    Recent research also suggests that gut bacteria influence cognitive processes.
    http://scienceblogs.com/neurophilosophy/2011/03/25/gut-bacteria-may-influence-thoughts-and-behaviour/

    Happy reading. What's your concern?

    Chances are good OP just eats too much.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
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    Parasites have been linked to almost every illness. However, just because you have parasites does not mean that you are sick. Many people have parasites and never know. When your body has a healthy, strong, immune system, it can deal with most parasites.

    Many think Dr. Hulda Clark is quacked, but one of my best friend's mother followed her program after being deathly ill for years. I remember when I first met her and thinking she wouldn't be alive in 2 years. She went through the whole system with her regular MD and specialists and when they could not help her, she moved on to holistic care and under a holistic dr, slowly, but surely, got healthy again and has been for 8 years now - her health transformation encouraged me to step outside the box and learn more about holistic healthcare. I read Dr. Clark's book and found some of what she said as very odd, but the bare minimum found the information helpful. (http://www.drclark.net/cleanses/beginners/herbal-parasite-cleanse). I also went 3 years, with doing her cleanse 1 - 2 times a year and always felt a million time better after doing so.

    Anyone not willing to open up their minds and slam healthcare outside of the mainstream healthcare system is surely brainwashed by same and not willing to expand their horizons to learn more.

    Don't let fear take over, just use your gut and do as much research as possible. A balanced mix of regular healthcare and holistic care will keep you healthy :)

    http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/clark.html
  • littlelou374
    littlelou374 Posts: 19
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    I would love to answer the question, but my parasites are making me plead the 5th.
  • DR2501
    DR2501 Posts: 661 Member
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    Nuke them from orbit. It is the only way to be sure...

    Kudos
  • in_the_stars
    in_the_stars Posts: 1,395 Member
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    ohhh... host manipulation occurs, more often than you think. Once you think about it, every thing alive wants to survive and reproduce.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
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    Actually, despite all the fun gifs and jokes this is partially true.

    There are a few parasites and diseases that can influence your thinking.

    There is toxoplasmosis. Or the crazy cat lady parasite. Read here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121206203240.htm

    Rage is a mind altering disease prior to killing you. But don't worry about that one, if you catch it you are going to shortly die.

    Neurosyphilis can also affect the brain processes in early stages as a disinhibition process or result in periods of euphoria.
    Several books of research cover this.

    Recent research also suggests that gut bacteria influence cognitive processes.
    http://scienceblogs.com/neurophilosophy/2011/03/25/gut-bacteria-may-influence-thoughts-and-behaviour/

    Happy reading. What's your concern?

    Chances are good OP just eats too much.

    We're talking parasite influence of cognition - not the OPs weight. And while, in terms of weight-loss, we can mostly ignore infections there are a few interesting conditions in gut flora that influence serotonin. And serotonin has been shown to play a role in binge eating disorder. So while the first reaction is to "pshah!" at these claims I find it more interesting to consider potentials. It is likely that some rare conditions of uncontrolled eating are parasite influenced - this makes both biological and evolutionary sense.

    For example, helminths (worms) are known to usually reduce appetite but there are cases of increased hunger reported too.
  • RachyLovesRattys
    RachyLovesRattys Posts: 143 Member
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    I don't know why people are knocking you so much! People CAN have parasites! I've studied zoonotic disease as a hobby related to my animal rescue and rehabilitation (yes, I'm a nerd!) and there are DEFINITELY things you can get in your body that will increase your appetite.

    Roundworms and tapeworms can both be contracted by humans from animals (namely their poop), dirt outside (because of poop), or from contaminated uncooked meat (most likely from other countries where raw dishes are popular and sanitation is subpar)

    That being said, you REALLY most likely do not have them. And if you don't believe that, all you need to do is poop in a ziploc and give it to your doctor to send to a lab. They'll find them RIGHT away if you're infected. The treatment is quick and consists of a few pills, you poop out dead worms, and it's over.

    My one rescued cat had HORRIBLE worms (from outdoors) and we didn't know for a few months of having him. One day, he threw up a bunch of "spaghetti" in the kitchen--ironically we were having shells that day--so I knew the situation immediately. As number one litterbox cleaner and cuddler (the segments can stick to their butts and rub off on your bed--possibly into your mouth indirectly if you're unlucky), I had all right to be concerned.

    In the end, even I was fine and no worms over here. Now I worm all my cats the day they come in, regardless of symptoms.

    That being said, worms will only make you eat more (my cat was once svelte as hell because he was full of worms eating his food--now he's a little chub haha) because they're eating your food too. They will never control your mind or make you crazy--that's Lyme Disease you've got to worry about for that! (Screw ticks forever!! may they burn!)
  • evileen99
    evileen99 Posts: 1,564 Member
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    You're not hanging out on that crazy curezone, are you? Those people have delusional parasitosis or some other problem (for one, MS can cause all the symptoms they claim come from parasites).

    You don't have parasites and they don't control your cravings.
  • Dianeshealthysteps
    Dianeshealthysteps Posts: 15
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    Hi,

    I think what you mean is bacteria maybe, like cravings for sugar

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