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Let's talk about the ZOMBIE episode! (Discussion thread) (Patreon)

Published:
2023-11-02 21:36:38
Imported:
2026-06

Content

Patrons, have you listened to the Neuroparisitology episodes yet?  It's never a bad time for ZOMBIES, fungus-addled ants, or a worm parade exiting your butt. And pulling up the rear for Spooktober is Matt Simon, author of "Plight of the Living Dead," who is funny and knowledgable and just a hoot. 

Let me know what you thought! And if you haven't hit play yet, get ready for brain fungus, The Last of Us, horsehair worms, a brief backstory on Haitian lore, the tiny critters usurping your free will, an attraction to light that kills you and so much more. Aaaah, I loved this one! 

Okay, stagger toward your favorite podcast app, folks!

-Brain o' the Ward

Files

Neuroparasitology (NATURE ZOMBIES) with Matt Simon - alie ward

What's on your mind? ZOMBIES. The planet is full of mind-controlling foes, and "Plight of the Living Dead" author Matt Simon researched deep and traveled the world to document tales of fungus-controlled zombie ants, bellies and brains full of worms, wasp bunkers, decapitated ants, brutal stings, hap

Comments

Naomi Jane

Really enjoyed this one. But Alie, that secret at the end nearly had me bawling. I sat at my desk & felt my face fall and my eyes well up. I'm so glad your gremlin is okay 🥺🩷

Aurora Cullen

i LOVE when guests ask if they can go on a tangent and talk about something they’re excited about & thank you for encouraging them

Emily Staw-fur

The one thing I kept wondering throughout the entire episode is if hypnosis is a form of zombification. Technically it's a behavior altering state 🤔😂

JENN 'Benthopelagic squirrel' ALVAREZ

Love this episode and the guest! Did NOT love the secret at the end. You scared the BeJESUS out of me! Poor Gremmie, little twerp.😂

Cat Baklarz

I think I just found my next reads! I love Mary Roach, and I love exploring the intersection between folklore/science so it sounds like I'll love Matt Simon's books!

Leslie Feldman

I need “it gets weirder” shirts. Please.

Eunice Allen-Bradley

ALIE, not cool scaring me with your secret story. I was on the verge if tears! The pod was good though.

Alie Ward

You and me both! I was gutted and then so relieved. She's never done that!

Will Clark

How long before some evil genius, a military, or government, discovers the chemical formula for the toxins used by the parasites for mind control? Be Afraid. Be very afraid.

Alie Ward

That's a very good point. Like, is flirting zombfication? Is ignoring someone?

Alie Ward

Maaaaan oh man, it was the scariest 60 seconds of my life. She has NEVER been so asleep. It was weird

Alie Ward

Oh his books are great. So funny, so informed. In the same vein totally

Alie Ward

It was awful. And then it was the best thing that had happened.

Leslie Feldman

With like. A wasp cowboy lassoing a cockroach on the back

Colin Bussey

The secret this week needs a trigger warning

Melissa Hart

Yes to the parasite that eats the fish's tongue and then mimics that tongue so everyone gets to enjoy a meal. Love these bizarre facts!

Design 83

I second the secret ending. I literally stopped what I was doing and waited motionless until the end. Give huge warm hugs to the deserving little-uns from us!

Alie Ward

I didn't get one, you don't get one (jkjk I'm sorry)

Caitlin Morrison

Excellent episode! His books were immediately added to my to read list! I wonder if (or really how many) parasites are currently evolving around humans unbeknownst to us that will be able commandeer our bodies in many thousands of years

Emily Staw-fur

The part about pointing lasers into rodents brain and making them agitated made me think of something my therapist told me about. She called it brain spotting. Basically they stimulate parts of your visual field and it does some kind of magic in your brain to bring out a trauma response which you can then process in a safe environment. The breath work discussion in the witchology episode also made me think of this.

Margaret Downs

Truly same. My stomach just dropped into my toes and I nearly cried at my desk and I was SO relieved to hear she was okay.

Alie Ward

Which one will you start with??

Alie Ward

Makes me wonder: whooooo are we, really?

Colby Evans

I had picked up his book on title alone at the library and was not disappointed

Colby Evans

Great episode! Ever since hearing about the virus that takes over the ant, I've been totally fascinated (and creeped out) by this stuff.

Colby Evans

Agreed - that was one scary commute for me this AM

Caitlin Morrison

I think i have to start with Plight of the Living Dead! Not ready to be more scared about microplastics yet!

Aurora Sullivan

Every ant pile I pass by now, I’m thinking about the fact that there could be an imposter in there just biding its time… I am now more worried for ants than I’ve ever been before. Thank you lol.

Howard Bergman

Alie, you’re the best! I love your interviews, and your asides. Besides being a fun way to learn something, they provide a needed refuge from the world on fire. This one was awesome. I just ordered the book. Thanks for making my day.

Alie Ward

Awww yay!! I hope you like it! It's such a fun read

Melissa Hart

Holy cats, is that for REAL??

Jessamy Ritchie

Oh man that was a scary secret Pod Dad! You poor wee things. Also, thanks for explaining rabies. I've updated my ignorant view that my dog's rabies vax is just a veterinary money grab.

Susan G

THE WAY MY HEART STOPPED AT YOUR END SECRET. I can only imagine what you must have felt on that plane. I am so glad she is OK.

MissChris

Allie, please think about getting our pod dog's heart checked out. The whole seems-kinda-dead-then-wakes-up-wondering-what-the-fuss-is-all-about trick reminds me of syncope (fainting). All my love, a former veterinary cardiology nurse and current Ologies fan

Lauren Cooper

I LOVED this episode. So deeply fascinating and unsettling at the same time. Parasitoid wasps scare the shit out of me. Also, Allie have you considered checking Gremmie's hearing? Maybe she couldn't hear you guys? I gasped OH NO out loud as I was listening. So glad she's okay

Margot Louis

I ALMOST CRIED at the end when you told us your secret, dad. I GUESS it was a good, scary “trick” in the spirit of the season…. But damn…. Brutal….. otherwise loved the episode lol

Aurora Cullen

i nearly burst into tears in my lab!! then hugged my dog real tight when i got home :,)

Nevena Georgieva

You guys, I haven't listened to the episode yet, but I decided to sneak a peek at the discussion... and now I'm so scurred about Alie's secret. 😳

Jenna Congdon

Alie, I am TRAUMATIZED by that secret. Full tears (until you got to the end of the secret, at which point I experienced emotional whiplash). I won't spoil it further, but damn, that was brutal! 😭

Kyle Christensen

What's it say about me that I just learned about a bunch of zombies in the animal kingdom, parasite that affect humans and a teaser about how micro plastics are going to kill us all and took it in like it was all par for the course but when I heard you say you're secret I started tearing up and hugging my dog?

Patrick Foye

Regarding the caterpillar fungus used in TCM (traditional chinese medicine), the specific type used grows naturally only along a Himalayan plateau. That’s why it’s worth more than gold to many and was saved for royalty, like reishi mushrooms, in older Chinese dynasties. Matt is correct in that much of what is used in the market is “fake” in that it’s lab cultivated. This is what we were told by one of my Chinese herbal teachers at TCM school. There’ve actually been instances of complex burglaries to steal it in bulk due to its high value. Its pharmacology includes: Antiaging Antineoplastic Anxiolytic Immunostimulant Sedative and hypnotic (Source: Chen and Chen) If you look under the notes section on this page, there’s a lot of good info. https://www.americandragon.com/Individualherbsupdate/DongChongXiaCao.html

Patrick Foye

As for the validity of the medicine, researchers released a paper on Oct 28th, 2023 explaining how they’ve mapped proteins associated with symptoms against target proteins of herbs. The article below explains it in detail. However, it is incorrect in stating that TCM treats just symptoms. It treats the root cause of a specific disorders which are found using multiple forms of diagnosis. https://amp.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3240063/scientists-find-traditional-chinese-medicine-based-complex-network-proteins-3000-years-modern Also, things that don’t work tend to become obsolete. TCM was used alongside western medicine in Chinese hospitals during the pandemic. (Qing Fei Tang being the primary herbal formula which was used).

Staci Pinkowitz

ooooooh i was super really into this one!!! i love an author who makes me wanna write books. kinda bummed that there wasn't a conversation about if remy ratatouille is a parasite or not. based on the episode i'm saying yes absolutely and will take no comments thank you

Gene Phillips

Unlike Hollywood "human" zombies, the critters in this episode are actually interesting.

Abbe

Omg me too!!! Alie!!! I was so incredibly sad for you for 10 full seconds.

Alie Ward

Absolutely fucked vibes there for a sec, so grateful

Alie Ward

Thank you for this! I had no idea and we will take her in for a check up. She had one a few months ago, but this is really good to know!

Alie Ward

Thank you for this. I just said "GOMMI" and she looked right up at me so I think her hearing has been fine -- it was the not waking up as fast as usual that was odd!

Alie Ward

Teh scariest moment in all of Spooktober for me, tbh

Alie Ward

Hey, some things hit different!

Alie Ward

I appreciate the authority expressed and I accept it.

Alie Ward

Aaahahah, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Avren Keating

CAME HERE TO SAY THE SAME. Audibly gasped and almost started crying. So glad she's okay 😭😭😭

MB

I almost cried at my desk at work! I was frantically checking her IG for a memorial post to see if it was true! Then.... the reveal. So. Much. Relief!

Abby Grieb

Don’t mind me half crying turned half laughing at this week’s secret. Glad Gremmie is okay ❤️

Nathalie Jones

I still feel a little sussed out about toxoplasmosis…. It’s prob anxiety speaking but sometimes I worry that cats really ARE evil and my furry little baby is simply manipulating me into giving her a happy loving home with lots of treats and pets. But also humans have loved cats and lived with them for tens of thousands of years and we’re getting along somewhat fine, right?

Nathalie Jones

There is prob also a piece about how cats are demonized for their association with witches or women or blah blah being cute idk. I don’t understand cat hate but also maybe that’s cuz I am infected with toxo? I apologize for my philosophical but anxiety rooted thoughts..

Walk Fearlessly

Omg, the secret at the end of the episode scared me to death. You phrased it like you were sharing the news with us that this terrible outcome had actually happened, and I was so devastated for you two and your sweet puppy. Please please never do that again 😭😭

Chris Moore

ALLIE!!! That secret!!!!!!!!

Merryn Lush

All theses little critters getting their behaviours controlled by neurotransmitters has me wondering how our waste water and improper/uneducated medication disposal is inadvertently engineering our aquatic ecosystems… Are we accidentally drugging these tiny lake shrimpies (sorry forgot the name) to offer themselves up to birds instead of fish?! Or vice versa?! And what is THAT doing downstream. 🫠🤯

Catherine BH

1. that secret!! I was driving home from work at 9:30pm while listening and started crying in my car. I was very relieved at the ending of it. 2. do the ants knows what's going on with the cordyceps infection? Or are they just happily going about what they think is their normal day as they're getting taken over?

Mike Matteson (Inkdependence)

The secret! Alie! The way you told that story I felt like I was there with you. Heart: Clenched.

Savannah Jessop

I was driving into Escalante Utah to go on a dirt adventure, I’m on top of a ridge with cliffs and gorgeous views on both sides listening to the love of my life filter into my ear holes. AND YOUR DOG FUCKING DIES. I was trying so hard to keep calm. I wanted to pass out but you took so long to finish the secret. I’m a vocal stimmer so as soon as it ended I screamed and basically had a screenshot all on top of this beautiful but scary road. I know I’m late but I hope you see this BAHAHAH

Paulina Krasińska-Sroka

ALIE!!! G**-f***ing-d***it! 😮‍💨 I paused and started crying, telling my husband what happened!

Chaz Webb

You mention the sting pain index and how no one would want to go through that but I'd love to direct your attention to Coyote Peterson on youtube (one of my other fave science communicators) who has deliberately done the entire index plus some extras to verify it!!