Cited by 46Psychology of Moral and Emotional JudgmentTryptophan and brain disordersOlfactory and Sensory Function Studies

Serotonin – A link between disgust and immunity?

Rubio-Godoy, M., Aunger, R., Curtis, V.·2007·Medical Hypotheses

Abstract

Immune systems maintain the integrity of organisms by recognising and attacking foreign substances and/or pathogens. However, immune defences can only take place following direct contact with threats. Disgust can prevent infection before contact with potential pathogens: we propose that disgust is an evolved nervous response to a signal reliably co-occurring with infectious environmental disease threats, which motivates behaviour leading to the avoidance of infection. We hypothesize that disgust and immunity form a defensive continuum with overlaps: disgust acts prior to contact with the infectious agent and prevents it from getting into the body; emesis (vomiting) gets it out once inside the gastrointestinal tract, before penetration of the body boundaries; and immunity expels or kills infectious threats following penetration of the body proper. We further propose that serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) might be the link between disgust and immunity. 5-HT plays a central role in the induction of the emetic reflex and is possibly involved in the development of learned aversion; it is also a signal used by immune cells and modulates both innate and acquired immunity. We therefore propose 5-HT might mediate the interaction between these two defensive mechanisms.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.06.036

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  • Self-other distinctions do not first arise with language and culture; selfhood originates with the immune system, and the first social other is the micro-social other rather than the macro-social other.

    “Selfhood originates with the immune system.”

    From Disgusting Bodies, Disgusting Religion: The Biology of Tantra (2011) · cites this paper as Rubio-Godoy et al. 2007

  • The immune system and the emotion of disgust form a neurological continuum.

    “The immune system and the emotion of disgust form a neurological continuum (Rubio-Godoy et al. 2007).”

    From Disgusting Bodies, Disgusting Religion: The Biology of Tantra (2011) · cites this paper as Rubio-Godoy et al. 2007

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Authors
Rubio-Godoy, M., Aunger, R., & Curtis, V.
Affiliations
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
Venue
Medical Hypotheses
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2007-01
Volume
68
Issue
1
Pages
61-66
ISSN
0306-9877 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2135617462
Cited by
46
References
39
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 1
FWCI
1.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Medical Hypotheses (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • LSHTM Research Online (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
Keywords
serotonin, disgust, immunity, infection avoidance, vomiting, vomiting reflex, learned aversion, innate immunity, adaptive immunity, immune cells, evolutionary psychology, infectious diseases
MeSH terms
Animals, Avoidance Learning, Brain, Escape Reaction, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Models, Neurological, Reflex, Serotonin, Models, Immunological

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