https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasma_gondii
Also because my cat is the cutest
What the hell does toxoplasmosis have to do with liking cats?
It inhibits the fear response in rodents, so they are more likely to cuddle up with cats
The joke being that humans are infected too
In rodents, T. gondii alters behavior in ways that increase the rodents’ chances of being preyed upon by felids. Support for this “manipulation hypothesis” stems from studies showing that T. gondii-infected rats have a decreased aversion to cat urine while infection in mice lowers general anxiety, increases explorative behaviors and increases a loss of aversion to predators in general. Because cats are one of the only hosts within which T. gondii can sexually reproduce, such behavioral manipulations are thought to be evolutionary adaptations that increase the parasite’s reproductive success since rodents that do not avoid cat habitations will more likely become cat prey
Apparently it is a popular American myth.
@Caligvla as @otter said, T gondii stops rodents from being afraid of cats. It also makes male rodents sexually attracted to cats.
lmao imagine having an affinity towards felines because a parasite told you to
On the whole, there was little evidence that T. gondii was related to increased risk of psychiatric disorder, poor impulse control, personality aberrations, or neurocognitive impairment.
