‘Measurable biological footprint’: Study points to surprising source of psychopathic traits

When it comes to detecting psychos, you just gotta go with their gut.

Scientists have found a surprising link between certain microbes and darker personality characteristics, according to a shocking study in Nature.

“We hypothesized that the composition of the gut and oral microbiota may be associated with subclinical psychopathic personality traits,” wrote the team, led by Carolina Costa from the University of Porto in Portugal.

While it’s long been known that microscopic flora can influence our mental state, this yet-to-be-peer-reviewed study reportedly marked the first time this particular “association” had been explored.

Researchers said the correlation between bacteria and dark traits demonstrates “a measurable biological footprint for psychopathy that extends beyond traditional neurocognitive models.” Hafidhulkarim60 – stock.adobe.com

It is well known that psychopathy — which is defined by a lack of empathy, antisocial tendencies, impulsiveness, and egoism — has to do with brain structure, particularly the prefrontal cortex, Science Alert reported.

Meanwhile, previous research has proven that psychopaths excel on dating apps and are more likely to hail from New York or Nevada.

However, the researchers thought there was more to it.

To determine the alleged source of the pathology, the team enlisted 200 healthy adult participants and had them complete the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale-Short Form – a survey designed to quantify psychopathic traits.

They then submitted samples of their blood, saliva, and fecal samples, which the scientists analyzed to deduce the level of bacterial composition in the body along with other metabolic markers.

The caveat is that the study demonstrates correlation rather than causation. Sebastian Kaulitzki – stock.adobe.com

While the subjects’ individual microbial diversity didn’t suggest signs of psychopathy, comparing the participants’ results to each other painted a different picture.

The team found that subjects with greater levels of three types of gut bacterial — Allisonella,  Prevotella and Cloacibacillus evryensis – also scored more highly on the psychopathy survey.

The mechanism behind this alleged gastrointestinal psychopath factory is yet unclear, but researchers noted that Allisonella has been associated with various diseases.

Therefore, it’s capacity to induce inflammation, which is linked with anxiety and depression, could shed light on its potential as a psychopathic precursor.

Meanwhile, Prevotella has previously been linked to psychiatric afflictions while the researchers say C. evryensis produces a chemical in the brain that affects impulse control. Coincidentally, the study found that the microbe Treponema vincentii has the opposite association but the reason for this remains unclear.

The researchers claimed that this association between the aforementioned gut bugs and psychopathic characteristics suggests “a measurable biological footprint for psychopathy that extends beyond traditional neurocognitive models.”

But don’t start getting your stool and saliva samples tested just yet.

This research doesn’t prove that a certain microbial formula is to blame for psychopathy, only that there is a correlation.

More research is needed to determine the exact recipe for evil.