Monsters Inside Me : Can My Cat's Poop Kill Me? : Animal Planet

Can My Cat's Poop Kill Me?

By Robert Lamb, HowStuffWorks.com

2. DEATH BY NEUROTICISM

As it turns out, researchers have discovered links not just between Toxoplasma and depression, but between the parasitic invasion and high levels of neuroticism as a whole. This clinical psychiatric state encompasses a host of negative emotional states, including anger, anxiety, depression and especially guilt.

Are parasites in cat poop driving half the world mad with guilt? Are the legions of hosts worrying themselves into an early grave? In 2008, the Wall Street Journal published a map charting anxiety levels from state to state. The more neurotic states scored higher heart disease rates and lower life expectancies.

While this Toxoplasma-related death may not be as flashy as those involving car wrecks or the compulsive consumption of mystery liquids, it helps paint a very startling picture of a world manipulated by mind-hacking parasites. While exact Toxoplasma levels vary from country to country, we're essentially staring down a global infection of between 30 and 60 percent.

Think of everything that transpires in the world due to fear and anger. Think of the personal wages of depression and guilt. What bloody catastrophes and artistic masterpieces might we trace back — at least in part — to the belly of a cat?

Choose your next death by cat poop:

5. Death by Car Wreck Are your cat's mighty parasites driving you to your doom?		4. Death by Extreme Sports Is jumping off that cliff your own idea, or is it actually the master plan of your cat's parasites?
3. Death by Depression Thinking of offing yourself? Your cat's parasitic poop may have something to do with it.		1. Death by Hallucinatory Encounter Is your cat driving you crazy? Well if you've accidentally ingested its poop, you may literally be going crazy.

CONTENT

Monsters Inside Me

Can My Cat's Poop Kill Me?

Can My Cat's Poop Kill Me?

HowStuffWorks

TV Schedule