Expert Highlights How History Sheds Light on Personality Changes After Organ Transplants

From vegetarians suddenly craving meat to shifts in sexual preferences, some organ transplant recipients report personality changes that seem to mirror traits of their organ donors.

A 2024 study challenges “conventional views of memory and identity,” suggesting that organs might carry memories and emotions. These findings spark significant ethical and philosophical debates about transplantation. However, the concepts of organ-based memory and the ethical dilemmas of transplants are not new. In 1991, physician J. Andrew Armour proposed that the heart stores memories and emotions. Controversies surrounding organ transplantation have existed since the first surgeries in the 1950s.

Despite this, the study’s authors overlook the historical, cultural, and religious contexts of organ donation. Without these perspectives, research and media narratives risk perpetuating sensationalized myths, akin to Frankenstein stories, about transplantation. These ideas are particularly relevant because, for centuries, the heart has been regarded as the seat of emotion and memory across cultures, from ancient Egyptian rituals to modern Valentine’s Day symbolism.

Historically, the heart’s role shifted with advancements in science. In 1628, English physician William Harvey popularized the circulatory blood model, first theorized by 13th-century Arab physician Ibn al Nafis, replacing Galen’s outdated view of blood production. With this understanding, the brain took precedence as the center of thought, memory, and emotion, reinforced by René Descartes’ 1649 work, Passions of the Soul. Over time, this secularized, mechanical view of the heart became dominant, though cardiologists often grapple with its symbolic significance. As one heart surgeon famously asked, “How could I cut it out of a man’s body?”

Not all organs carry emotional weight like the heart or face, which are deeply tied to identity and expression. While faces convey emotions visually, hearts react physically, such as beating faster when anxious or in love. In contrast, organs like kidneys or spleens rarely evoke such sentimental associations. This raises intriguing questions about xenotransplants—using non-human tissues or organs. Could recipients of genetically modified pig hearts develop memories tied to the donor species?

Can Transplants Retain Donor Traits or Reflect Gut-Brain Connections?

Evidence for cellular memory, where cells retain information beyond the brain, is growing. Trauma research, including intergenerational studies on slavery and Holocaust survivors, explores the idea that “the body keeps the score,” as Bessel van der Kolk suggests. However, the 2024 study offers limited support for this theory, summarizing previous research involving small sample sizes and anecdotal reports of heart transplant recipients experiencing changes in preferences, such as craving chicken nuggets like their donor. This raises the question: are such memories rooted in the gut instead, given the gut-brain axis and its role in emotions and mental health?

Ultimately, these narratives challenge the mind-body divide ingrained in modern medicine. Cultural contexts further complicate this debate. For example, Thailand and Japan emphasize the spiritual significance of the heart, with Japan only recognizing brain death in 1985 for this reason. Cross-cultural studies could help determine whether memory transfer narratives are universal or culturally specific.

Psychological factors, such as survivor guilt, post-traumatic stress, and gratitude after major surgery, also contribute to perceived personality changes. Immunosuppressant medications, essential for transplant patients, can profoundly influence emotions, as can the emotional weight of the procedure itself. Yet, such experiences are exceptions; an Austrian study found that 79% of heart transplant recipients reported no changes in personality.

The conversation around organ donation should focus on pressing issues, such as the integration of psychological and physical healthcare, ensuring informed consent, and addressing ethical challenges in xenotransplantation and organogenesis. Public debates should also consider how healthcare systems support transplant patients beyond surgery, especially in countries with privatized care, such as the U.S.

In the UK, the future of transplant care is tied to saving the NHS. Without universal healthcare, patients could face crushing costs for essential medications. To advance ethical standards, evidence-based research, and effective healthcare policies, society must engage in meaningful discussions rather than perpetuating myths or media sensationalism.

Read Original Article: Science Alert

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