Organ transplants and personality implants?
Organ transplants tend to take on a physical dimension in that they replace a failing part of the body with a healthier version. However, there have been well noted circumstances that highlight a change in personality that is yet to be adequately explained by science. One theory is that the donor’s memories are said to be stored in the neurons (which send messages to and from the brain) and once transplanted influences how the recipient thinks, feels and behaves. University of Arizona psychologist Gary Schwartz calls this ‘Cellular memory’. Basically, “Hearts can have memory, as brains do,” says Schwartz.
Such instances have been observed over time and affected transplant recipients have displayed changes in food, music, art, recreational and career preferences. The following are cases that describe how it is not only a heart transplant but a personality implant that occurs in the recipient:
– Claire Sylvia received a heart transplant in 1988. Following the surgery, heartshe started to crave beer and nuggets and had vivid dreams of kissing a man named Tim L. She eventually traced her donor’s identity from an obituary and met his family who confirmed that 18 year old Tim Lamirande, who died in a motorcycle accident loved nuggets and beer. She went on to write a book about her experience titled ‘A Change of Heart: A Memoir’.
– Another case was of an 8 year old girl who, after her transplant had nightmares of a man attacking her. It was so believable that her psychiatrist even thought them to be true. It was later revealed that her donor had been murdered but the girl’s ability to remember the killer in great detail allowed police to find and convict him.
– Paul Oldham, a corporate executive received a new heart from a 14 year old boy at the age of 53. On his first trip to the mall following his surgery, his wife was surprised that he wandered into the candy aisle and started taking Snickers bars. Paul, who passed away in 2013 also became a keen kayaker, cross country skier and cyclist with his wife Peggy saying she wouldn’t be surprised if he had tried parachuting at the age of 70 as well.
Scientists have come up with a range of theories to justify these events including radical health improvements, high doses of anaesthesia and psychological factors. Despite this, both sides highlight the fact that we are truly more than just the sum of our parts.