On Being Connected…..From ‘Butterfly Conservation’…..
by Bernie Bell - 12:13 on 05 December 2025
On Being Connected…..
I read the following on Matthew Manning’s Facebook page…..
“ORGAN DONORS MIGHT PASS ON THEIR PERSONALITY TRAITS - SUGGESTING YOUR CELLS HAVE THEIR OWN ‘MEMORY’
Over the years I’ve worked with a handful of patients who have had an organ transplant, and all have subsequently had curious experiences. Some have had moments of deja vu that just weren’t theirs, like hearing songs they had never heard before, but feeling as though it was their favourite song. Others have developed cravings for or aversions to certain foods and drinks.
Emerging research hints at a phenomenon in which organ recipients can sometimes take on the personality traits and memories of their donors, long after their surgery is over.
Studies indicate that heart transplant recipients may exhibit preferences, emotions, and memories resembling those of the donors, suggesting a form of memory storage within the transplanted organ,” wrote researchers last year in ‘Cureus’, a peer-reviewed medical science journal.
The heart’s complex neural network - which researchers call a “heart brain” - supports bidirectional communication with the brain and other organs. Experiences in which organ transplant recipients take on personality traits of the donor have been most commonly documented in heart transplants, according to a study published in ‘Transplantology’.
But this phenomenon can happen with other organs, too. Research shows that 89% of all transplant recipients reported personality changes after undergoing transplant surgery.
In 2020, researchers wrote in ‘Medical Hypotheses’: 'The acquisition of donor personality characteristics by recipients following heart transplantation is hypothesised to occur via the transfer of cellular memory. Memories from the donor’s life are hypothesised to be stored in the cells of the donated heart and are then ‘remembered’ by the recipient following transplant surgery.'
The authors of the ‘Cureus’ study conclude: “Understanding these complexities deepens our understanding of fundamental aspects of human experience and existence.'
There was a time not long ago when doctors and scientists totally dismissed the concept of memory transfer after organ transplantation. It’s encouraging to see that they are starting to change their position!”
Someone commented…
“In the seventies Liall Watson (Supernature) talked about cells retaining memory and being passed down. Interesting concept which sort of makes sense.”
To which I replied….…..
“It’s quite long – but might be of interest. I wrote the following to a friend when we were discussing connectedness….
‘Before we moved to Orkney we lived in Suffolk, in a small cottage in a row of 5 which used to be the farmworkers cottages. When we moved in we found we had a problem with mice. Our neighbours said they did too, some more than others. The main problem was that the mice would stomp about in the loft. Though they're only little, when they're running about in the loft it makes a lot of noise!
At first we put peppermint oil on the rafters in the loft. Rodents don't like mint, it used to be used as a strewing herb in the old days. This would work for a while, but then the oil would evaporate and the mice would come back!
One morning I was lying in bed trying to sleep, with the mice having a barn dance above my head, and I thought that it couldn't go on. So, I connected with the mice, and asked them to leave the house. I suggested that they could live in the bank at the bottom of the garden in the summer, and in the shed in the winter. The mice left, and never came back! We had a bird table in the yard, and we'd see the mice, in the winter, coming out from under the shed door, getting bits which had dropped from the bird table, and scurrying back into the shed. Sometimes they took bits which were too big, which caught under the door!
As I used up the wood in the woodpile I'd find their nests, so I'd just move the nest into a different part of the wood pile. Every body happy.
I say they never came back, and we were there for 10 years, so it wouldn't be the same mice. I reckon I connected with mouse-kind, and the information spread. I don't know if you've come across this idea, before. Blue tits in one part of Britain started pecking holes in the top of milk-bottles, then all over Britain, other Bluetits did the same. Also, rats in laboratories learnt various things and rats in other labs, in other countries, suddenly had the same abilities. There's a lot about it in 'Supernature' by Lyall Watson. Anyway, our mice never came back into the house, and lived outside, instead.”
Oh – and it makes me wonder….
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From ‘Butterfly Conservation’….
“Even in the coldest months, nature still finds a way to sparkle
Winter is truly here. It’s dark, cold and a little bit wet – not usually ideal conditions for butterflies and moths. There are, however, some determined winged insects who flutter on despite the freezing temperatures – the Secret Gardener introduces a few of the UK’s winter-loving moths, as well as sharing your jobs for the garden in December.
Plus, in this edition, get your wild reading recommendations, discover more about our species of the month, and find out what our experts have to say on why moths are attracted to light.
Why are moths attracted to light?
When it’s dark outside, light from inside our homes can be a magnet for moths and other nocturnal insects. But why does this fascinating phenomenon occur? Dr Richard Fox explores what might be going on.
https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/why-are-moths-attracted-to-light
Jobs for your green space in December
It’s a quiet time of year for the Secret Gardener, but they’ve still got some tips and tricks for helping butterflies and moths through the winter months, as well as ways to plan ahead for next spring.
Double your impact for one of the UK’s rarest moths
The clock is ticking, and there are just four days left to help us reach our target of £75,000! When you donate to Butterfly Conservation’s Big Give before midday on Tuesday, your donation will be matched, doubling your incredible generosity.
Together we can make a difference to vulnerable species such as the Dark Bordered Beauty, one of UK’s rarest moths.
https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000006M6T7YAK
Species of the month
Each month, we’ll be diving into a species of butterfly or moth. This month, let’s meet the Brimstone.
https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/species-of-the-month-brimstone
Our festive reading round-up
Looking for the perfect gift for the wildlife and book lovers in your life this Christmas? Or perhaps you’re looking for some inspiration for your own reading over the festive season? Check out our round-up of nature inspired books to add to your list.
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