New Research Suggests That, In Addition To Receiving A New Organ, Transplant Recipients Could Also Potentially Inherit Their Donor’s Personality Traits

N Lawrenson/peopleimages.com - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
N Lawrenson/peopleimages.com - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only, not the actual person

Picture waking up from an organ transplant surgery with a new craving for chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla or feeling overwhelmed with emotions that you’ve never felt before.

According to a new study, organ transplant recipients may receive more than simply a new organ. Researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine have actually found that many of these patients could potentially inherit their organ donor’s personality traits as well.

The team aimed to determine if people undergoing organ transplants experience personality changes, as well as how prevalent these changes are.

So, they conducted a cross-sectional study with 47 organ transplant recipients. The study participants also took an online survey in which they detailed their experiences both before and after their transplant.

It may come as a shock that 89% of respondents said they experienced some changes in their personality after their transplant. The shifts included everything from changes in temperament and mood to changes in physical activity levels or food preferences.

Additionally, the type of organ transplanted appeared to be less significant than previously believed. There have been historical anecdotes connecting heart transplants with major personality changes. However, this study showed that heart transplant recipients experienced changes comparable to those receiving other types of organs.

The reported changes extended beyond new food preferences or hobbies as well. Certain changes were much more profound, impacting social behaviors, emotional states, and spiritual beliefs. Some organ recipients observed increased social interactions and a more positive overall outlook; meanwhile, others faced challenges such as depression, anxiety, or mood swings.

As for what might explain these changes, the research team had several theories – one of which is known as the “cellular memory” hypothesis.

This hypothesis suggests that donor organs may actually carry personality traits, personal preferences, and memories from the donor in “cellular memories.” Then, these traits could be transferred to an organ recipient.

N Lawrenson/peopleimages.com – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person

Now, the heart does have an intricate nervous system, which is sometimes referred to by researchers as a “heart brain.” And this could potentially store some biographical data about an organ donor.

But, cellular memories might also be transferred through other, more conventional mechanisms – for instance, DNA, RNA, epigenetics, or proteins. One organ recipient even recounted having vivid dreams of being shot at close range after receiving a heart from a police officer who had been killed in the line of duty.

“A few weeks after I got my heart, I began to have dreams. I would see a flash of light right in my face, and my face gets real, real hot. It actually burns,” the organ recipient said.

In another instance, a young boy who received a donor heart from a deceased toddler started refusing to play with Power Rangers out of nowhere. Power Rangers were the same toys the boy’s organ donor had been reaching for when he tragically fell out a window.

Still, not every personality shift necessarily has such mysterious origins. Undergoing an organ transplant, which is a major procedure, can really affect an individual’s emotional state, psyche, and sense of identity. Certain shifts may even simply be coping mechanisms to deal with things like post-surgical trauma, anxiety, or depression.

For instance, some organ recipients could potentially subconsciously adopt new habits, interests, or personality traits – serving as an unconscious way to integrate the life and identity of an anonymous organ donor into their own life. This is common as recipients grapple with the experience of getting an organ from a stranger.

“The finding that some patients experience fears about the possibility of personality changes following organ transplant is an issue that should be addressed with potential transplant recipients prior to undergoing transplant surgery, as such a discussion might reduce transplant surgery hesitancy and potentially improve post-transplant treatment compliance,” the research team concluded.

To read the study’s complete findings, which have since been published in Transplantology, visit the link here.

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Katharina Buczek graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Digital Arts. Specializing ... More about Katharina Buczek
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