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[–] 46 points 9 months ago

"It is possible that the apparently non-pathological and potentially beneficial interactions between T. gondii and some of its intermediate hosts, such as rats and humans, are the result of co-evolutionary strategies that benefit, or at least do not harm, the fitness of both the parasite and the host," the researchers write.

I'm looking forward to reports of infection parties.

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  • [–] 41 points 9 months ago (9 children)

    Are you lonely? Do you want to be more attractive but without undergoing costly and risky surgeries? Try TPG-Plus! This all-natural, symbiotic bioform has been scientifically proven to make you more attractive to others. Just one weekly capsule is all you need to be a better, happier you.

    Warning: side effects may include depression, personality changes, epilepsy, neutral cancer, psychosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, immune disease, sudden bursts of rage, reckless or impulsive behavior, blackouts, cats, and thoughts of suicide.

    Do not take TPG-Plus if you are allergic to cats, pregnant, thinking about becoming pregnant, or suffering from any psychiatric disorders. Consult with your local pet store to see if TPG-Plus is right for you.

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  • [–] 28 points 9 months ago (5 children)

    Speak to your doctor if you experience:

    Translucent teeth

    Elbow malfunction

    Hemming/hawing

    Pregurgitation

    Temporary omniscience 

    Rectal certitude 

    Permanent buoyancy 

    Recalcitrant offspring 

    Purple haze

    Vehement denial

    Moonwalking 

    Rogue waves

    Charm offensives

    Offgassing

    False dichotomies

    Spotted dick

    Camaro envy

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  • [–] 2 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    Moonwalking sounds like a feature, not a bug.

    Camaro envy? Nope. Nothing is worth that.

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  • [–] 70 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    I mean I thought Baldurs Gate 3 was excellent too.

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  • [–] 19 points 9 months ago (6 children)

    So it may actually be a mind-altering symbiote?

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  • [–] 21 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (5 children)

    Scientifically it's called mutualism, and it happens all the time in nature, including in humans. The bacteria in your gut require you to live, and for you to live requires having those bacteria in your gut. And the bacteria in your gut effect your mind, including the decisions you make

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutualism_(biology)

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gut_microbiota

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gut%E2%80%93brain_axis

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  • [–] 4 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    effect affect

    Sorry, I appreciate your post.

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  • [–] 2 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    Oh, interesting, I thought that was the definition of symbiosis!

    (Also, don't forget to escape the parenthesis in your Wikipedia link.)

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  • [–] 16 points 9 months ago

    I knew it was going to be Toxoplasma gondii.

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  • [–] 15 points 9 months ago

    Good try RFK's brainworm.

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  • [–] 10 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    Ok so i presume they controlled for this but given

    sexually transmitted parasites, such as T. gondii

    and the more attractive people had a

    higher number of sexual partners

    Weren’t they more likely to get it anyway? Especially if they self-select amongst the similarly attractive sexual partners?

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  • [–] 10 points 9 months ago (3 children)

    is it really a parasite if you dont really lose anything and get something positive from it?

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  • [–] 5 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    Parasites need their host to live. I don’t think the impact to the host is considered by the definition.

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  • [–] 8 points 9 months ago (4 children)
  • [–] 2 points 9 months ago* (2 children)

    Isnt it 7?

    Or is 7

    Spoilers aheadThe CIA Experiment?

    Always kinda thought about it that way, since its 7 and 8 when they were going all in on body horror via the hands, and I distinctally remember a very heavy focus on maggots and other parasites

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  • [–] 6 points 9 months ago

    In one such new study, researchers found that men and women infected by the parasite ended up being rated as more attractive and healthier-looking than non-infected individuals.

    Aha, see, it's not that I'm ugly, I'm just not infected by the right parasite!

    In addition, women carrying the parasite were found to have lower body mass and lower BMI than non-infected women,

    Well, guess we can predict the next weight loss fad.

    That said, all of this is speculation at this point,

    Nooooooooooo, it's on the internet now, it must be true!!!!

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  • [–] 6 points 9 months ago

    Gimme the parasite that makes me irresistible to everyone! 🥺

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  • [–] 5 points 9 months ago* (2 children)

    That's the plot of a lower decks episode

    spoiler This guy gets Boimler a girlfriend


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  • [–] 4 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    Did the parasite also give humankind the ability to speak languages?

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  • [–] 10 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    It’s a fact that old cat people become more beautiful with age

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  • [–] 3 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    I found the uninfected people more attractive. Guess it doesn't work on me. 🤷

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  • [–] 3 points 9 months ago

    Yo, can I get some of them PAR-A-SITES?

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  • [–] 5 points 9 months ago

    The theory is that it can alter the phenotype of people!

    Finally I could become a beautiful Asian woman with blonde hair and blue eyes!

    No, wait! Purple hair, one eye yellow, the other green, blue or purple depending on my mood.

    And huge knockers. Enough to make sexy cyborg's jaw drop.

    Oh wait, hold on a minute! I didn't mean it! I was just kidding guys! Stop touching me! C'mon that's rape! Stop thinking about being inside me and fulfilling every disgusting offensive desire of yours!

    No! See I'm just another 200lb guy with a tiny penis! See! I'm cool! Your cool. I'm Cool if you're cool, are you cool? Cuz I'm cool. Let's all forget this episode.

    Oh who am I kidding! C'mon, big guys let's get this done. Let's see if we can all get our tensions out in the open and work them to a relaxing tone. That's it. All good. Relax. Breath.

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  • [–] 2 points 9 months ago (3 children)

    I swear to satan I saw an amazon trailer for something like this.

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  • [–] 2 points 9 months ago

    That’s not a parasite, that’s my wingman.

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  • [–] 1 point 9 months ago

    Lookstoxxing. Go from a 3 to 8 in one month.

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  • [–] 0 points 9 months ago

    Wasn't that also the case for Syphilis?

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