Do viruses affect human behavior?

Question

I'm sick with a cold right now and in my semi-delirious state I dreamed about a virus that infected people and caused them to kiss other people so that the virus could spread easily. It would go in people's brains and make them want to hold someone's hand and stuff like want to have sex -- it benefits the virus by being able to infect others. Scifi or truth?

Answer 1

ALL of the above posters, funny enough, are absolutely and completely wrong.

Has anybody ever heard of rabies? That is correct. It is a virus.

Additionally, rabies victims become delusional, crazy, tend to salivate much more (and ironically the saliva harbors additional viruses) and have a tendency to randomly bite other living things (and ironically is the main route of transmission from an infected organism to another).

Rabies is incredibly fascinating (at least to me) as it literally mimics those horror movies such as Dawn of the Dead where people just bite each other and the bitten people become delusional and want to bite others as well. Rabied dogs show a clear example of this - they bite other non-infected dogs and spread the disease. It is quite remarkable how this virus has evolved so that it can trigger behavioral changes so as to benefit the virus itself.

-Kevin

Answer 2

Not at the moment, but i believe viruses can evolve, or can be modified to release electric signals, electric signals that can literally make you do stuff. Of course, it will be involuntary and not really change behavior. But then if a virus infected the brain, then yes it could change you. Thankfully, theyre not that powerful yet. Though im guessing that in about 40-60 years we'll all be screwed.

the dream that you had is your subconscience (however you spell that), and it merely reflects your thoughts about having a cold (virus), and about girls (kissing). If you want to learn more about it, try a phsycology forum.

peace

Answer 3

Viruses can affect behavior and have. Epidemics have caused large populations of people to shun others out of fear of being infected themselves. Note the cholera epidemic and how it affected people's attitudes toward immigrants coming into New York in the late 1800s.

Answer 4

Hi. You should consider that a virus does not think in the normal sense of the word. Once read a sci-fi novel about a guy who discovered a virus that was a mild aphrodisiac and was a cure for STDs. Really good combination. Title was something like "Last hurrah of the Golden Hoard"

Answer 5

Viruses do in fact alter human behavior. Herpes specifically causes a huge increase in irritability during the time of outbreaks. Every little thing just makes you fly off the handle. In my opinion, this works to make those in a relationship fight and increase the chances of the carrier to go off and cheat to spread it around further. I know it sounds far fetched, but I have first hand knowledge of this.

Answer 6

A bit more sci-fi than truth. Viruses can affect behavior. I doubt there's any way to target as complex a behavior as kissing. Sneezing on the other hand can be affected at the sensory level.

Answer 7

Uh... haha, i have actual said this with my cousins for relaxing... possibly some stupid scientist who watches too many zombie videos will attempt to create a 'T virus' basically to work out if it ought to take position and by twist of destiny be triumphant. Yeah, yet I truly doubt it... all the mad scientists are too obssessed over vampires those days ;/

Answer 8

Human Life is a homeodynamic, reciprocating structure<->function energy exchange process governed by five laws of growth and behavior, a continuum across its total spectrum of cells, organs, systems and societies, a mind-body-spirit biological unity modulated by time within and across generations, created by the source of all power (God) and then evolved.
The type of external stimulation living structures receive from their environment (nurture) is the type of structural changes that take place. Specific adaptation implies that the agent or agents of stimulation that cause disease and/or damage is the agent that prevents it. Examples: Polioviruses cause paralytic poliomyelitis and polioviruses prevents it by producing growth in the immune system. Teaching (external stimulation) produces growth in a student’s brain specific to the subject being taught. A force or resistance, such as applied in weight training, stimulates for growth in muscles and bones.
The targetzone is a level of stimulation within a variable range that produces growth in the upward direction, which improves, increases or escalates performance in all functions and behaviors. External stimulation from the environment and internal functioning within the targetzone range of stimulation serve as stimulators for growth in the upward direction. To stimulate humans to reach their full potential, targetzones must be found and applied for all functions and behaviors. Many functional targetzone intensity stimulation methods have already been discovered and applied. Discovering and implementing functional targetzone intensity is absolutely essential if people are to reach their full potential in life.

etc--------,

Answer 9

Mathew,

uhmmm...

viruses have no direct effect on the emotional/ psychological state of a person, but it has a physical effect.. that physical effect affects the emotional/ psychological state of a person... something like a chain reaction..

blessings,

kandila

Answer 10

Yeah thats more of a Sci-fi thing virus can't make you do stuff it can only make you ill until you die or that's what i think