Groundbreaking research suggests that patients who undergo organ transplants are inheriting their donors’ memories, personalities, and even preferences. The phenomenon is most commonly reported in heart recipients, but those with kidney, lung, or face transplants also experience strange changes.
Heart transplant recipients often report adopting their donor’s hobbies, food choices, music tastes, and sexual orientation. In one notable case, a 9-year-old boy received a heart from a 3-year-old girl who drowned in her family’s pool, resulting in the child becoming “deathly afraid of water.” Another college professor reported seeing “a flash of light” after receiving a heart from a fallen police officer who was shot in the face.
Researchers propose that the heart and brain are intrinsically linked due to shared neurons and cells. Additionally, an organ transplant may cause genes controlling traits to change and express themselves differently. A study published this year detailed cases of heart transplant recipients adopting their donors’ preferences and memories.
However, many experts attribute these changes to psychological responses to recovering from major surgery and near-deadly conditions. The use of immunosuppressant medications can increase appetite, leading to changes in perspective on food. Stress and anxiety caused by the surgery may also lead to shifts in outlooks on relationships and other aspects of life.
The study’s authors emphasized the need for further research into the connection between heart transplants and memory transfer. They highlighted the importance of understanding this phenomenon for enhancing patient care in organ transplantation, while also shedding light on fundamental aspects of human experience and identity.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14182585/heart-transplant-transfer-memories-personality-changes.html