Shocking New Discovery: Organ Transplants and Blood Transfusions May Transmit Memories
Organ transplants and blood transfusions have long been hailed as lifesaving medical procedures. In the United Kingdom alone, around 4,600 people received organ transplants last year, and nearly 200,000 gallons of blood were given in transfusions. However, a group of scientists is now raising concerns about an unexpected potential side effect of these procedures – the transmission of memories.
These memories can come in two forms. The first is the transmission of human memory itself, including preferences and character traits. There have been well-publicized cases of individuals experiencing personality changes after receiving organ transplants. For example, a 47-year-old woman in the United States who received a lung transplant suddenly developed a craving for beer and fried chicken, preferences she had never previously had.
Now, blood transfusions are also under scrutiny for their potential effect on transmitting memories. A recent study conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institute in Sweden suggests that a cause of spontaneous brain hemorrhage could be transmitted through blood transfusions. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that patients who received blood from donors who later experienced recurring brain hemorrhages were more than twice as likely to suffer from one themselves. The study drew on a comprehensive Swedish-Danish database that includes information on donors and patients dating back to the 1970s.
Although the study highlights the potential for certain factors associated with brain hemorrhages to be spread through blood transfusion, it is essential to note that only a tiny percentage of donors in the study had recurring brain hemorrhages. The lead researcher, Gustaf Edgren, downplays the risk, stating that it is incredibly unlikely for someone to experience a brain hemorrhage from something transmitted through a transfusion.
The research team is now planning to examine samples from the Danish Blood Donor Study biobank to identify possible aberrant proteins associated with brain hemorrhages that could be damaging blood vessels.
Interestingly, a separate group of scientists has suggested that blood transfusions may even transfer personality traits from the donor to the recipient. Five years ago, a study by Geneva University interviewed patients who received blood transfusions for orthopedic surgery and found that nearly half reported changes in their behavior and values post-transfusion. Some believed their personalities had changed, with one patient even expressing concern about the donor’s blood taking over.
These findings align with an emerging field called cellular memory, where scientists theorize that memories from the donor’s life may be stored in the cells of the transplanted organ or blood and “remembered” by the recipient. While this may sound far-fetched, scientists have successfully transferred memories between snails by transplanting their tissues, demonstrating that memories can be stored in RNA, a genetic information molecule.
Overall, the question of whether memories are truly transferred through organ transplants and blood transfusions remains unanswered. While some scientists argue for the possibility based on emerging research, others urge caution and emphasize the need for further study. As blood transfusions and organ transplants are relatively common, understanding the potential risks and effects on recipients’ well-being is crucial.
In the meantime, medical professionals may have to include information about possible changes in behavior and values when obtaining consent for transfusions. This groundbreaking research opens up new avenues for exploring the intricate relationship between our bodies, memories, and the potential consequences of life-saving medical procedures.