Toxoplasma gondii is a microscopic parasite that infects cats and can be found in the soil – research shows it may be a factor in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and OCD in susceptible individuals. Could toxoplasma gondii could be one of the root causes of unresolved anxiety? I believe so and feel it’s under-rated.
This is the one of the parasitic infections I cover in an interview I did on The Parasite Summit.
Here are a few snippets from my interview:
A single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii causes a disease known as toxoplasmosis.
Toxoplasma gondii is a microscopic parasite that infects cats and can be found in the soil. The infection can be acquired by ingesting contaminated food or water, by handling contaminated cat litter, or by transmission from mother-to-child.
According to the CDC – as of Mar 1, 2017 – in the United States it is estimated that 11% of the population 6 years and older have been infected with Toxoplasma. In various places throughout the world, it has been shown that up to 95% of some populations have been infected with Toxoplasma.
I love cats and have always been a cat person and pets are wonderful companions helping many of us humans recovering from PTSD and trauma – but we always need to dig deeper:
- some individuals don’t respond as well to dietary changes, brain chemical balancing and addressing other biochemical/nutritional factors
- I’m always looking for root possible causes. I’ve identified 70+ causes of anxiety and one of them is parasites
- any parasite could be a factor – it causes stress and inflammation in the body, and we may see high cortisol leading to increased anxiety, insomnia and inflammation
- could toxoplasma gondii could be one of the root causes of unresolved anxiety? I believe so and feel it’s under-rated – and believe we’ll be hearing more about it as more research comes out
I discuss this review paper published this year: Is Toxoplasma gondii a Trigger of Bipolar Disorder?
The association between T. gondii and schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder is one of the most studied links between one pathogen and a psychiatric disorder.
However, growing emerging evidence has also documented an association between latent toxoplasmosis and the risk of [bipolar disorder] and suicidal/aggressive behaviors. T. gondii infection, as previously suggested for schizophrenia, may contribute to the onset and the progressive course of the disease interacting with genetic hereditary predisposing factors, as well as affecting neurotransmitter systems and immune responses, which have recently been shown to be closely linked to the pathogenesis of BD and its medical comorbidities.
The link between this parasite and psychiatric disorders could be also explained by its ability to influence neurotransmitter pathways. Indeed, T. gondii has been shown to increase dopamine levels, as well as to modulate serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate signaling.
With the impacts on neurotransmitters it’s clear how this parasite could directly trigger anxiety, panic attacks, fears, worry and even OCD. I cover this and more (malaria and malaria medications too) in my interview and book.
Parasites may be silently impacting your health and they’re FAR MORE COMMON than you think! Parasites aren’t just found in third-world countries, millions are already infected in industrialized countries and parasites could be silently hampering your health. Fortunately, with awareness and appropriate care, parasites can be prevented and treated, once detected.
If you’re struggling with any of the following, it may be worth looking into parasites:
- Gastrointestinal: pain/cramps, excess gas, bloating, constipation/diarrhea
- Infertility and hormone disorders
- Skin issues: acne, itching, rashes
- Mental health: depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, OCD, schizophrenia
- Challenges with autoimmune disease recovery (Toxoplasma gondii may also be a factor in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)
Please share feedback and ask questions in the comments below.
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And apologies about the emails bouncing – we have some web issues and trying to find solutions – and since folks can’t let us know emails are bouncing getting this message here on the blog is very helpful.
Hi I would love to learn more about this by listening to the summit, but I have a silent meditation retreat booked for the same dates. Are there other options for viewing this?
Sara
The summit is available for purchase so you can listen later when it suits you. When you register you’ll see the option to get it at pre-summit pricing which is the best deal too. Enjoy the summit and enjoy your silent retreat!
This doesn’t pertain to the subject but can you please tell me where I can purchase hydroxycobalamine?
Thank you.
Hi Trudy,
I am so excited to hear your talk during the parasite seminar. What day do you speak during the seminar?
Suzie
My interview airs on day 7, Sept 21 – enjoy! It’s going to be a great summit
Hi Trudy,
Wonderful blog, I have been dealing with social anxiety/depression all my life. I was diagnosed at the age of 13 and still dealing with many episodes, would you have anything on blushing of the face, I blush so easily with any interaction with people and it kills me slowly every time. I have yet not found any links towards blushing of the face and social anxiety so consistently. I also have been dealing with hives rash on my back and chest for years, doctors have no clue but to put me on steroids to help alleviate the inflammation.
Thank you,
Brett
When someone has social anxiety and blushing I look into pyroluria – more here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/pyroluria-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
With hives I look into food sensitivities and we address those – gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, citrus, chocolate are common triggers. High histamine foods may be a factor too – in the hives and the blushing. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/anxiety-summit-histamine-anxiety-depression-schizophrenia/
Hi Trudy,
How do you test for toxoplasma gondii ?
Lyn
There are many functional stool tests and conventional testing is also avaialable
How is the parasite treated?
Marcia
The CDC site lists common prescription treatment approaches here https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/treatment.html
The research on Black seed oil is encouraging when used with medications https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26446086/
As always work with your integrative doctor/naturopath
Doing a bit of reading about medical/pharmaceutical treatments for toxoplasmosis, looks like pharmaceuticals can have pretty nasty side effects?
Really hoping you can share more alternative, naturopathic-type information, more in line with the rest of your work?
Very concerned now about toxoplasmosis as possible major cause of my own lifelong heath issues. One site stated that 1/3 of the world population is infected chronically?
Thank you, Trudy, for all of the incredible work and information you share, with research, resources, stories of hope- empowering and equipping us all on our healing journeys!
Blessings
Heather
Heather
There are a number of possibilities in the research. Here are a few:
– Oxidative Stress as a Possible Target in the Treatment of Toxoplasmosis: Perspectives and Ambiguities https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34071892/
– Effects of Aloe vera and Eucalyptus methanolic extracts on experimental toxoplasmosis in vitro and in vivo https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30031121/
It’s best to work with a naturopath or functional medicine doctor who has experience with non-pharma treatments for this condition.
if toxoplasmosis was the cause of your mental health symptoms, will treating it cure your symptoms or is the damage already done? my entire family is riddled with various mental health conditions. My one sibling has improved greatly on amino acids and lithium orotate but the tryptophan makes him so sleepy he doesn’t take it as often and even though the depression has improved he still has episodes of paranoid obsessive thinking, usually about his health…but he’s also too paranoid to take prescription drugs so he never goes to a doctor or takes the drugs if he is ever prescribed, but at the same time is convinced he has medical conditions that require a doctors advice. We also live in manitoba canada so I can only assume the doctors here will refuse to test or treat for toxoplasmosis. My own doctor told me she wouldn’t test for pyroluria because she didn’t know what it was. and I’ve had friends all say their doctors don’t know what gaba is. I’ve luckily had my doctor test my b6 and zinc, although my siblings and spouses doctors all refuse to test theirs. it’s infuriating to say the least.
Amy
I would expect doctors In Canada to test for and treat toxoplasmosis which eliminates symptoms. Nutritional imbalances and gut health often needs to be addressed too i.e. all possible root causes