In this conversational segment, Dr. Christina Rahm and Dave Asprey discuss how the parasite Toxoplasma gondii manipulates host behavior, citing examples such as infected fish rising to the surface for bird predation and rats losing fear of cats. They argue that humans are not immune to such manipulation, emphasizing the risk of indoor cats transmitting toxoplasmosis, especially to pregnant individuals. Rahm advises keeping cats outdoors and avoiding vegan cat diets. Asprey adds that many reptiles and even plants (e.g., roses) can carry or share genetic material related to the parasite, suggesting a broader ecological web of transmission. The dialogue touches on public backlash against anti‑cat statements and underscores a view of “transcendental communication” among organisms, urging awareness of the parasite’s pervasive influence.
Chapters
For instance, in one study, a certain kind of fish that had a worm would. 90% of the infected fish would go to the surface and glimmer and get eaten by birds. And the other fish that were uninfected stayed at the bottom and didn't get eaten. The parasites were making it happen. Then there's rats that lose their fear of cats because they have a certain infection that wants to spread. The idea that we're somehow immune from that is nonsense.
It's ridiculous.
Crazy cat lady is. Is toxoplasmosis. Yeah, right. It's a thing. And you can look. In fact, people right now are starting to call for me to be canceled because I said something against cats. And I will just tell you, cats are great. Just keep them outdoors so they can catch mice, but don't let them indoors or they'll give you toxoplasmosis, especially if you're pregnant. It's just the data. Unless your cats always live indoors. And for God's sake, don't make them vegan if you do that. So I like cats, but I'm just aware 100% right.
Cats and birds. I'm just gonna say that, like. And a lot of the reptiles, they carry it, and then your kids will get it.
It's osmosis. Interesting.
They can different mutated format. And so can, like. So can roses. You know, we share the DNA. Roses, the thorn on the rose. Yeah.
My gosh, that's cool.
Yeah. So we share DNA, different parts of our DNA with like a plant. Right. And different things. But what we don't understand is also bacteria and fungus. Viruses do too. So you've got to understand there's a. I call it transcendental communication between all of these things that can happen. We don't want to accept that. We want to think, well, we're immune to this, and that's not going to happen. I'm glad you're educating people on cats, because I actually have a cat that has always been inside, never outside. The parents were never outside, and I feel fairly safe.
