Recent research conducted at the University of Colorado (CU) suggests that personality changes may occur in the recipients of various organ transplants, not just heart transplantation. The study, published in Transplantology, involved 47 participants who completed an online survey detailing their experiences following transplant surgery. Astonishingly, 89% of the transplant recipients reported postoperative personality changes.

While previous research has primarily focused on extreme cases and enduring effects in heart transplant patients, the CU study is among the first to investigate personality changes across different types of organ transplants. Respondents reported at least four personality changes, including alterations in temperament, emotions, food preferences, identity, religious beliefs, and memories. The only difference observed between heart recipients and other organ recipients was a change in physical attributes.

According to scientists at CU, this study suggests that our sense of self and preferences may be embedded not only in the heart but also in every cell of our body. Some transplant recipients even reported feeling more like their donors, developing new preferences for music, art, sex, and behavior patterns. One participant shared her experience of developing a deep love for music after receiving the heart of a young musician.

Interestingly, research on blood transfusion recipients has also indicated changes in mood, behavior, and even memories after the procedure. Although there is no scientific explanation for these changes, the persistent belief that internal body parts have causal powers continues to influence public perception. A 2013 University of Michigan study revealed that people still harbor the belief that personality changes can occur as a result of transplants, despite lacking scientific support.

In search of an explanation, the hypothesis of "systemic memory" suggests that all living cells possess memory, enabling the transmission of history from donor to recipient through tissue. While nerve connections are severed during organ transplantation, there is evidence that nerves within the transplanted organ can partially regain their functionality within a year, leading to potential neurotransmitter interactions based on donor memories that impact the recipient's personality.

Additionally, it has been discovered that donor cells can circulate within recipients for up to two years post-transplant. Although the exact effects of these cells are unclear, their inflammatory nature could potentially explain personality changes. Inflammatory triggers from escaped DNA have been linked to chronic, low-grade inflammation, which has been shown to alter personality traits.

While this research sheds light on the fascinating relationship between organ transplantation and personality changes, further exploration and validation are needed. The implications of these findings could significantly impact our understanding of human identity and provide insights into the complex nature of our minds and bodies.

As for whether swine organ transplantation affects a recipient's behavior, no specific evidence or studies are currently available.