Do cat parasites make you more attractive?
You might’ve heard that Toxoplasma Gandii (the cat parasite) increases testosterone in infected men. This is supposed to make them more attractive, increasing the chance they will spread the parasite to a female sexual partner [1 - 3]. However, these claims are based on association studies. The researchers aren’t injecting people with the parasite and seeing if their testosterone increases (I wonder why). It’s entirely possible that the group of people most likely to get infected with T. gandii (people who interact with cats more, touch soil more, and eat more undercooked meat) just had higher testosterone to begin with [4, 5]. Plus, we aren’t even sure if T. gandii can be sexually transmitted between humans [6].
Alarming associations
Even the association studies don’t consistently show increased attractiveness. Several studies have found associations with lower testosterone [7, 8] or with increased levels of cortisol, alopecia, and acne [9]. T. gandii infections have also been correlated with cancer, heart disease, suicides, and a lower IQ [10 - 12]. T. gondii can even be lethal in vulnerable individuals (like babies and the immunocompromised) [10, 13].
There is overwhelmingly more evidence that T. gandii is harmful than the other way around, so you probably shouldn’t go around eating cat feces. Ignore K. Shami and the forum schizos, T. gandii is not a good looksmax.
You might’ve heard that Toxoplasma Gandii (the cat parasite) increases testosterone in infected men. This is supposed to make them more attractive, increasing the chance they will spread the parasite to a female sexual partner [1 - 3]. However, these claims are based on association studies. The researchers aren’t injecting people with the parasite and seeing if their testosterone increases (I wonder why). It’s entirely possible that the group of people most likely to get infected with T. gandii (people who interact with cats more, touch soil more, and eat more undercooked meat) just had higher testosterone to begin with [4, 5]. Plus, we aren’t even sure if T. gandii can be sexually transmitted between humans [6].
Alarming associations
Even the association studies don’t consistently show increased attractiveness. Several studies have found associations with lower testosterone [7, 8] or with increased levels of cortisol, alopecia, and acne [9]. T. gandii infections have also been correlated with cancer, heart disease, suicides, and a lower IQ [10 - 12]. T. gondii can even be lethal in vulnerable individuals (like babies and the immunocompromised) [10, 13].
There is overwhelmingly more evidence that T. gandii is harmful than the other way around, so you probably shouldn’t go around eating cat feces. Ignore K. Shami and the forum schizos, T. gandii is not a good looksmax.
- SyrianPsycho [@syrianpsycho]. (2025, Nov 10). cats might be the new method [Video]. TikTok.
- DrSermed Mezher [@drsermedmezher]. (2025, Aug 22). A Parasite That Makes You More Attractive? [Video]. TikTok.
- NotJimmyMaio [@notjimmymaio]. (2025, Sep 19). Cat people [Video]. TikTok.
- Ducrocq, J., Simon, A., Lemire, M., De Serres, G., & Lévesque, B. (2021). Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii through consumption of raw or undercooked meat: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 21(1), 40-49.
- Jones, J. L., & Dubey, J. P. (2012). Foodborne toxoplasmosis. Clinical infectious diseases, 55(6), 845-851.
- Tabares Tejada, P., & Cardona Maya, W. D. (2025). Toxoplasma gondii infection in the male reproductive system: A systematic review. Acta Parasitologica, 70(1), 29.
- Eslamirad, Z., Hajihossein, R., Gorbanzadeh, B., & Almasi Hashianee, A. (2014). Relationship between blood testosterone level and lipid profile among a group of men with and without Toxoplasma IgG antibody referred to pre-marital clinics in Arak city, 2012. Journal of Arak University of Medical Sciences, 16(12), 1-8.
- Eslamirad, Z., Hajihossein, R., Ghorbanzadeh, B., Alimohammadi, M., Mosayebi, M., & Didehdar, M. (2013). Effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection in level of serum testosterone in males with chronic toxoplasmosis. Iranian journal of parasitology, 8(4), 622.
- Mahbodfar, H. R., Yousefi-Razin, E., Saki, J., Rafiei, A., & Khademvatan, S. (2015). Study of latent Toxoplasma gondii role in level of testosterone, DHEA, cortisol and prolactin hormones of young persons.
- Daher, D., Shaghlil, A., Sobh, E., Hamie, M., Hassan, M. E., Moumneh, M. B., ... & El Hajj, H. (2021). Comprehensive overview of Toxoplasma gondii-induced and associated diseases. Pathogens, 10(11), 1351.
- Flegr, J., Chvátalová, V., Příplatová, L., Tureček, P., Kodym, P., Šebánková, B., & Kaňková, Š. (2024). Cognitive effects of Toxoplasma and CMV infections: a cross-sectional study of 557 young adults considering modulation by sex and Rh factor. Pathogens, 13(5), 363.
- Flegr, J., Prandota, J., Sovičková, M., & Israili, Z. H. (2014). Toxoplasmosis–a global threat. Correlation of latent toxoplasmosis with specific disease burden in a set of 88 countries. PloS one, 9(3), e90203.
- Cummings, P. L., Kuo, T., Javanbakht, M., & Sorvillo, F. (2014). Trends, productivity losses, and associated medical conditions among toxoplasmosis deaths in the United States, 2000–2010. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 91(5), 959.
