Researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine looked into whether organ recipients experience personality shifts after transplant surgery. They focused on both heart transplants and transplants of other organs.
The study “Personality Changes Associated with Organ Transplants,” published in the journal Transplantology, surveyed 47 individuals—half with heart transplants and half with other organ transplants. Surprisingly, a whopping 89% of participants reported personality changes after surgery, regardless of the organ received.
These changes weren’t just a passing fancy. People described significant shifts in their preferences for food, music, and art. Some even reported entirely new interests in hobbies and careers. Additionally, the study documented instances of “new” memories, increased social and sexual confidence, and even heightened cognitive abilities or spiritual experiences.
However, the changes weren’t always positive. The study noted distressing experiences like delirium, depression, anxiety, psychosis, and sexual dysfunction in some cases.
The most intriguing finding involved “disconnected memories.” Several recipients reported vivid memories that seemed unrelated to their past experiences. These memories often involved sensory details, potentially linked to the organ donor.
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