Many people have strange personality changes after organ transplants, science seeks to explain

A recent study shows that organ transplant recipients can change their personalities in "unexpected" ways .

A scientific article titled "Personality Changes Associated with Organ Transplantation" published in the medical journal Transplantology raises the issue that many organ transplant recipients experience major and lasting changes. long in one's own actions, thoughts and behavior.

The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Colorado School of Medicine (USA), examined significant changes in patients' personalities after organ transplantation.

In particular, the researchers also looked at the changes that heart transplant recipients experienced and whether they were similar to other organ recipients.

New research shows that organ transplant recipients can change their personalities - (Photo: CNN)

The study was conducted with 47 people participating in an online survey. Of these, 23 received hearts and 24 others received organs.

As a result, 89% of organ transplant recipients reported experiencing personality changes after transplant surgery.

Specifically, changes in preferences about food, music, art, occupation, intimate relationships and leisure activities. 

Some also shared about "new" experiences such as improved cognitive abilities, social and sexual adaptation, or becoming more spiritual. after organ transplant.

The research team considers these types of changes to be " neutral or beneficial" , but there are also some reports of worrying changes such as anxiety, delirium, depression, and sexual dysfunction. and mental disorders since organ transplant.

In particular, many organ recipients shared memories or interests that they had never had or were unrelated to their previous personal experiences. They suggest that these sensory perceptions appear to be related to the organ donor.

The report gives an example: A 56-year-old university professor received the heart of a 34-year-old police officer who died after being shot in the face.

After the organ transplant, the professor recounted a strange experience: " A few weeks after receiving the heart, I started having dreams. I would see a ray of light shining directly into my face and my face. I became really hot. My face felt like it was really on fire."

Another volunteer said she developed a strong passion for music after receiving a donated heart from a young musician in the 1990s. Before the heart transplant, she never played the piano or sang. music.

On the science news site Science Alert , experts put forward a hypothesis called the "systemic memory hypothesis".

Accordingly, all living cells have the ability to remember, meaning memories can be transmitted from donor to recipient through tissues. Even though the nerve connections at the grafted organs are severed, the nerves can still function within these organs.