Humans as Superorganisms: How Microbes, Viruses, Imprinted Genes, and Other Selfish Entities Shape Our Behavior

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Genetics
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Limited awareness among mental health professionals regarding the influence of non-human elements on human physiology and behavior.
• The concept of the human body as a superorganism, comprising both human and non-human components, is not widely appreciated.
• The intricate interplay between host genetics, microbial communities, and ancient viral elements significantly impacts health and behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a broad overview of the consequences of human coexistence with internal selfish genetic and microbial entities.
• To highlight the role of brain and gut microbes in altering human behavior.
• To discuss the implications of ancient viral DNA and competing gene copies in mental disorders.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature on the microbiome-gut-brain axis.
• Analysis of research on endogenous retroviruses and their association with neurological and psychiatric conditions.
• Exploration of genomic imprinting and parent-of-origin gene effects regulated by virus-like elements.

Main Results:

• Microbes in the brain and gut demonstrably alter host behavior.
• Incorporated viral DNA from millions of years ago is linked to mental disorders.
• Chimerism, where individuals carry cells from another human, is present in some brains.
• Virus-like elements regulate competing gene copies, leading to opposite effects in offspring.

Conclusions:

• Humans are best understood as superorganisms, a composite of human and non-human elements.
• The interaction between these diverse elements is fundamental to determining individual identity and characteristics.
• A paradigm shift is needed in psychology and psychiatry to incorporate the influence of these internal non-human entities.