How a Kissing Bug Becomes a Balloon Full of Your Blood | Deep Look

A kissing bug gorges on your blood. Then it poops on you. And that poop might contain the parasite that causes Chagas disease, which can be deadly. Without knowing it, millions of people have gotten the parasite in Latin America, where these insects live in many rural homes. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the saliva of some kissing bugs in the U.S. can give you a dangerous allergic reaction.
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Kissing bugs live in the Americas, where around 130 species feed on humans, wild animals like wood rats, and on dogs, chickens and pigs.
In Latin America, five species of kissing bugs are largely responsible for infecting around 6 million people with the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi that causes Chagas disease. The parasite enters people’s bodies when they rub the poop of an infected kissing bug into the bite wound or their eyes.
Most never get sick, but up to one-third develop heart disease that can kill them. Pregnant women can pass the parasite onto their babies.
--- What are signs you’ve been bitten by a kissing bug?
The bite is painless and frequently invisible, though it might swell up. Kissing bugs often bite near the eyes or mouth, but they’ll dig in anywhere.
If the bite victim rubs infected bug poop into their eye, it might puff up into the sign of Romaña.
Infection might cause fever, headache, cough, or abdominal pain, according to the Pan American Health Organization.
--- What are other names for kissing bugs?
They’re referred to as triatomines and also known as chinche besucona, vinchuca, pito and barbeiro.
--- In what countries do people contract Chagas?
Chagas is regularly transmitted in 21 countries in Latin America.
In the U.S., where kissing bugs very rarely transmit Chagas, researchers estimate that some 350,000 Latin American immigrants contracted the parasite in their home countries, where the bugs live inside houses and in animal coops.
--- What is the treatment for Chagas?
Two medications can kill the parasite.
“The earlier you treat people, and the younger the person is, the better the chance of preventing development of heart disease,” said Dr. Caryn Bern, at the University of California, San Francisco.
--- In what states in the U.S. do kissing bugs live?
Texas, New Mexico and Arizona are the states with the most findings of kissing bugs, according to Texas A&M University.
---+ Find additional resources and a transcript on KQED Science: www.kqed.org/s...
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#kissingbugs #Chagas #deeplook

[@JemZard]

Kudos to the guy who sacrificing his own arm for this video.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

That would be Gabriela!

[@nickc3657]

@@KQEDDeepLook How do you guys make sure Gabi doesn’t get infected with Chagas, or go into anaphylaxis?

[@K15_08]

@@nickc3657 maybe they treat it immediately after gabi got bitten

[@123TeeMee]

(But I sure am not)

[@gia4954]

@@KQEDDeepLook so you have human Guinea pigs

[@Action_0051]

Welcome to the another episode of "The more you know, the less sleep you get"

[@KQEDDeepLook]

That could be our Deep Look motto…

[@BLOODKINGbro]

Knowledge is power

[@pouncelygrin6699]

*nods in agreement*

[@choccythedinosaur5945]

@@KQEDDeepLook NO PLEASE NO, PLEASE NO

[@devoidsharlo9176]

Heh, I am good, living in the North, where these creepy crawlers can't survive.

[@Lugmillord]

"This bug could kill you. So let's watch it suck blood from a real person."

[@CallMeMimi27]

I bet they draw straws to see who gets sacrificed. lol

[@BLOODKINGbro]

It was probably a laboratory grown one so it would be sterile. Just like when they let the mosquitoes feed on them.

[@ngakanputuh.purwanta9583]

I hope they pay him well a buttload of money

[@Lugmillord]

@@BLOODKINGbro That's probably the most likely scenario.

[@ngakanputuh.purwanta9583]

@@Cherrybee61 that's not sounded very good for me

[@VictorbrineSC]

What's worse is that unlike ticks or mosquitos, these are relatively... big for a bloodsucking insect...

[@froghaven]

Imagine having a water balloon fight and someone throws this at you XD

[@gibson8926]

Lol😂

[@cinnamon7642]

I almost died from this bug twice in the past 3 years. Got my whole body inside and out covered with severe allergic reactions. Even the airway to my lungs was affected causing me to suffocate. Really glad that the hospital is somewhat near our house.

[@sofii_11]

Oh my, taking the god that you're alive, without him you won't be living anymore, stay safe and always pray!

[@sofii_11]

I meant thanking, not taking

[@Liltango]

Thank god!

[@southside1975]

where do you live? I think I found 2 of these in my house in Chicago.

[@yoggsaronn]

@@sofii_11 Wait , I tought it was because of the hospital they dont died

[@aquilia7957]

Salute to the person who let this bug "kiss" their poor arms T.T

[@KQEDDeepLook]

That's Gabriela, the producer: kzbin.infoUgkxccU7ycibVBV1Fh_y063JS8DZrYMySaBX

[@saeidnisar]

@@KQEDDeepLook 🤣👍

[@derek20la]

Were the insects purchased from a scientific supply company? To ensure they are safe and free from all parasites?

[@savagedabs8536]

@@derek20la They have a video explaining how they kept Gabi safe and if you look at the comments above they have a link to that video.

[@WanderTheNomad]

@@savagedabs8536 They don't really talk about the parasites

[@thesadtoast]

'It can literally kill you!' The guy: So, I just let it feast on my arm, anyway...

[@molybdaen11]

I think they use one breed in a lab for that scene.

[@yankis.]

They could be lab-grown or tested, thus not carrying the disease. Researchers do the same with ticks.

[@MistaMaine.]

The team to the guy: Yes. And if by luck, it might just poop too. Perfect for our research.😊👌

[@triccele]

The woman who volunteered her arm: " huh, all of this people think I'm a man".

[@melymichu6731]

@@MistaMaine. Hahaha that would have been sorta satisfying to watch if it did happen not gonna lie.

[@LogicalMan6]

Wow, this bug really does add insult to injury

[@tmlconfirmed5784]

Salt

[@LawnileDarrence]

OMG this line is like from Taylor Swift’s “exile”

[@coyotelong4349]

@@LawnileDarrence Also “Bad Blood” lol 🩸

[@flornapanopio955]

Watching these late at night is unavoidable, I love these documentaries!💙

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you like them! We love producing them.

@@KQEDDeepLook And I love not sleeping XD

[@pouncelygrin6699]

true that

[@pouncelygrin6699]

@ xD

[@landonthereptileking4396]

I love them to

[@raccoonchild]

They call them 'kissing bugs' in the US? Why? It makes them sound so friendly 😂. I vastly prefer 'vinchuca'.

[@nightshadehelis9821]

You have these things? Ffffffffffff

[@resurgingflame]

Yeah.. it's like their international name.

[@raccoonchild]

@@nightshadehelis9821 Thankfully I've never seen one where I live but they do exist in my country.

[@IronShocker77]

Here in Brazil they're called Barber Bugs, because they usually sting around your face.

[@MakinaSatanica]

Chinche Picuda!

[@Augusto200100]

Why is the disease called Chagas Disease? "Carlos Chagas was a Brazilian biologist, sanitary doctor, infectious disease scientist, scientist and bacteriologist, who worked as a clinician and researcher. Active in public health in Brazil, he started his career fighting malaria."

[@jayaniee]

I'm guessing it's name after the scientist that found it, the area it originated from, or some scientific name.

[@Augusto200100]

@@jayaniee It was Carlos Chagas who discovered this disease in 1907

[@notCSScode]

Am I the only one who wants to pop the kissing bugs "balloon"?

[@stanclark8824]

I keep waiting to see that.

[@sadsensations5630]

We don't need vampires when we have kissing bug. Shudders...

[@MistaMaine.]

Mosquitoes: *I thought we were the real life vamps.....* ☹

[@beachgirl4583]

Right? Ticks are equally disgusting little vectors of diseases. I suppose diatomaceous earth will kill kissing bugs as well as it kills other bugs, but that doesn’t make me feel good about sleeping. @Deep Look, can we see their poop without magnification? If so, I now understand white bedding.

[@sadsensations5630]

@@beachgirl4583 yeah it is terrifying and well equally disgusting.

[@applicationsmanager864]

Each time deep look posts something you know it's going to be scarier than a horror movie.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Sometimes we post stories about cute things! But not often.';-)

[@theofrustus3170]

@@KQEDDeepLook are you single??!

[@Jdog-p7j]

​@@theofrustus3170🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍

[@Phot_]

All kissing bugs feed on blood throughout their lives. Kissing bugs can feed on people, dogs, and wild animals. They feed many times over their lives. When kissing bugs feed, they can take several minutes to take a full meal like mentioned in the video, 20-30 minutes. Kissing bugs do not attach like ticks and their bites do not usually hurt the person while they are feeding

[@qwek]

2:50 "Hey bro why is that chocolate m&m moving?"

[@arttemka2536]

Ohh, just pick up and eat💀

[@niftyfish]

That's super interesting that they cool down the blood in their head before it reaches the abdomen! I wish humans had something like that so we didn't burn our mouths when accidentally eating really hot food lol.

[@lisawiramas5462]

Guess then we all will have a long antenna on our head 🤣🤣 that would be no aesthetic

[@Viber0ptics]

Would be very good for pizza rolls

[@kentuckysmoose]

We do, its called blowing on it, if its already in your mouth you’re gonna get burned, i think you mean you want it to but burn your stomach

[@cappodiorvevo7724]

Fr Tho lol

[@Chrisicola]

Some people have airway in-between their ears.

[@alceratops6853]

Up next: Ant that crawls in people's bums and then instantly enlarges, exploding and killing the victim

[@blitzwaffe]

This doesn't put a smile on my face.

[@senatorarmstrong9041]

I don't feel so good.

[@MistaMaine.]

🙂🐜

[@beachgirl4583]

No. Just “no”. That can not exist.

[@kellytibbs3815]

Did no one pick up that this was an AntMan / Thanos play 🙃

[@yanj111]

I respect the person who sacrificed his/her body to the science, lol

[@Nithalm]

The video mentioned that the parasites could be treated well. The most important part is that you 'know' that you are bitten, and take measures.

[@mahendrarathore360]

its was producer's hand Gabrial

[@momouwu1937]

4:13 ouch buddy. Mousey is looking spikey over here

[@quangtuantran7181]

Me after watching these kinds of vids: Those dark spots on the walls do be looking mighty sus right now, lets burn down the house just to be safe

[@Jdog-p7j]

🤣🤣🤣

[@ariefaditya1470]

Hats off for Deep Look team!! Never fail to amaze me

[@nightshadehelis9821]

I'm so grateful I live where it snows. This is total nightmare fuel. How common are these monstrosities? Has anyone here experienced one?

[@brenblue8493]

If it makes you feel any better, even though the video says they live in the US, I live in Texas and don't recall ever seeing one, so they're probably not that common down here The video does say they're a bigger problem in Latin America, though

[@nightshadehelis9821]

@@brenblue8493 that actually does make me feel better. Whew.

[@mermaidzoephiahart]

I've never seen one and I'm American

[@AnonymousMachine]

Here in Mexico I see 1 around each 2 or 3 months

[@christinanguyen796]

In AZ my brother and I used to actually play with them a ton in our backyard but I haven’t seen them for years since moving to another part of town…still makes this video all the more horrifying lmaooo

[@edum.6353]

In the nothern of my country, houses are made of mud and wood (pau-a-pique, brazilian portuguese). These houses' walls are the perfect habitat for this bug (called in Brazil Barbeiro de Chagas) to live and reproduce so the families are left very vulnerable there, they are poor and have little knowledge about how dangerous. I've heard some stories of people who left these areas for a better place and when they found out about the disease, it was too late and their hearts are too damaged by the parasite.

[@spear127]

nah even the bugs getting freaky 💀

[@mediocregamer2484]

The sheer disrespect these guys have.

[@MistaMaine.]

Ikr. Crawling around Kissing people without their consent! 😤🤚

[@truthteller6213]

@@MistaMaine. and using the bathroom right where they eat and directly into the opening they created.

[@ZOCCOK]

Watching deep look increased my IQ by 20, leading to a grand total of of 21 IQ

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad to help . ;-)

[@brianisme6498]

Rookie numbers, my IQ has decreased by 30 in the last half hour leading to a grand total of -354. (Nothing to do with Deep Look, I love them and I’m only joking obviously)

[@beachgirl4583]

@@brianisme6498 , One would expect declining numbers from Brians. Wtg, overachiever. ;)

[@ultraviolet9677]

Hats off to the guy who volunteered to be infected 😂

[@yankis.]

He's not getting infected. The insects are either tested or grown in the lab.

[@triccele]

And is not a guy, it's a woman

[@ultraviolet9677]

@@triccele oh yeah, didn't notice that lol

[@tylerm0089]

God Bless You People for helping humanity be more aware of our surroundings! Thankyou!

[@jahlive1243]

Now I know what insect landed on my forehead during target practice. It’s a bug you’ll never forget.

[@im_arya_]

Kissing bugs : "exists" Mosquito : finnaly worthy opponent, our battle will be legendary

[@cookiecutter5176]

"They usually bite near your lips or your eyes." *MMMMMM NOPE NOPE NOPE LAND OF A TRILLION NOPES-*

[@beachgirl4583]

Please take me to the land of a trillion nopes.

[@onuru.100]

glad i'm not the only one that had a hard time watching someone sacrifice themselves while hearing how incredibly dangerous this bug is

[@lanadelreysvape]

SCREAMING … “chinche…pito” HELPPPPP

[@pumpkin6228]

i studied bioscience in my foundation year and i have to admit, it was the toughest subject among other subjects.. we studied bacteriology, parasitology, and virology. parasitology was the most difficult to memorise because it was so dense! however, it was totally worth it in the end when i stumble upon videos like this. i'm more familiar about parasites :)

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks for sharing!

[@cosmonauteable9151]

thanks for this comment that added nothing to the conversation!

[@thespacecowboy71]

"it could actually make you really sick. Even kill you!" *Proceeds to show a kissing bug crawling around on a person's arm*

[@isaacchavez6714]

2:50 I love how that kissing bug walks 🤣

[@uniquetheunique]

Haha funny fella

[@avengers7878]

😂

[@NationofSweden]

i like how they actually did "how it started, how its going"

[@Kirome]

“..It could make you sick, or kill you.” The persons arm their using: *sweats*

[@kingjuju5470]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@SCP--fj2jr]

tick: _"Finally, a Worthy opponent... OUR BATTLE WILL BE LEGENDARY!"_ *(also kudos to that person who let that bug "kiss" 'em.)*

[@elijahrumi3886]

Bed bug: allow me to introduce myself

[@MistaMaine.]

Mosquito: *Who are these amateurs?*

[@ShaudaySmith]

:Bed Bugs have entered the chat: "Well hello there!"

[@elijahrumi3886]

@@MistaMaine. Gold😂😂😂😂

[@warrakrys]

This is why I will sleep with air tight long sleeve clothing with air tight socks and air tight face mask and air tight glasses, also all of these items will be impenetrable :) Edit: Almost forgot the air tight pants :)

[@beachgirl4583]

Wouldn’t it be easier/more comfortable to sleep in one of those water tanks? They can’t get in.

[@alyss0ndragnel821]

Nossa só percebi dps de que inseto tavam falando, aqui no Brasil ele é bem conhecido como barbeiro, as pessoas tem muito medo dele mas todo mundo acha que a doença de chagas podia ser passada só pela mordida(inclusive eu) muito bom conteúdo ajuda a informar as pessoas sobre o real perigo que é esse animal

[@darrenstettner5381]

“Chincho besocoño” 😂

[@Kavriel]

You mean to tell me that i've been sleeping with the window open while these things exist ? No it's fine, i'm okay. I'm okay. I think.

[@TheEpicFlyer]

You better run.

[@that_one1games798]

I love this channel it’s so interesting ☺️ [Edit: Thank You So much For The Likes!!!]

[@brianisme6498]

Agreed

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Happy to hear that!

[@mrvfino]

I swear to god insects are just otherworldly

[@stanclark8824]

They get stranger with every evolution

[@Gumbocinno]

4:15 guy really just munching some food with cacti in him

[@Ryuji777x]

i've never heard of this insect before. but I live in Canada so I feel safe xD

[@gachapanda401]

yea same im from trinidad so im safe too

[@layaksingh1238]

I am very thankful for your amazing work, it helps me in very different ways.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Happy to hear that!

[@julialam8557]

"It could actually make you really sick, even kill you!" Person that's letting this Kissing Bug feed on them: "I pretend to not hear."

[@Utcm7]

Respect to the guy who records the kiss bug biting the rat

[@thepsychopotato]

Very interesting and informative. Even though my face was wincing through the whole video. Hahaha! Oh! And Gabi is the real MVP! :D

[@KQEDDeepLook]

MVP!😂

[@CallMeMimi27]

Quite surprised at your pronunciation of Vinchuca. always a nice surprise hearing an English speaker saying Spanish words with such fluency.

[@ryanle1293]

I remember seeing these things all the time at my high school, never knew they drew blood like this

[@lisley22]

My dad has Changa’s disease. He left untreated for a few years. We didn’t know that he wasn’t taking his medication against the disease. His heart got so weak that he almost died, then we had discovered that he wasn’t taking care of himself. Doctor say his heart is full of holes and that’s nothing else to do. Now my father has a degenerative heart disease, it means that only will get worse until he dies. Chaga’s disease is not a joke!

[@fabiolucasdev]

Sempre tive medo de barberios por conta desses boatos do parasita, mas agora graças à esse vídeo eu percebi que não são boatos... E dizem que por aqui no Brasil eles gostam do Açaí, que alguns açaís podem ser contaminados com esses parasitas. Enfim, esse foi de longe um dos vídeos mais úteis que o KZbin já me recomendou.

[@hoonghoonghoong2252]

Thank you deep look for making me stay awake for the whole night

[@anz121brb]

another excellent, top quality video. Love this series so much!

[@chaoscupcake4288]

"Okay this is super gross" Meanwhile my hand: **Literally becoming numb while I watch**

[@alexfren8791]

Such a Romantic name for a bug. This bug should be name poop bug.

[@MrSaliVader]

Just commenting to feed the algorithm. Great video, like always!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Awesome, thank you!

[@snuckel4]

@@KQEDDeepLook Hey do you guys know bugs that bite in straight line? •••••

[@Luqqqie]

Sometimes when i see videos/ articles about other countries, i tend to think it must be good living in other countries.... Yet my assumption is always changing due to reason like this. Growing up really tought me to appreciate my country more although is not the biggest and richest as long i can have a meal and a place to sleep, that's enough for me.

[@justanormaluser5962]

me in my head "cut it" 1:02

[@sebgrootus]

I used to like bugs. I saw these in my room all the time and was like "wow, neat looking little critters". I am now traumatized.

[@cgkuch4184]

You’re probably immune now!

[@MaykeBezerraAlencar]

In fact, there are several scientific works demonstrating autochthonous cases of Chagas disease in US. So different from what many people think, Chagas disease is not a typical disease only of underdeveloped or developing countries.In fact, there are several scientific works demonstrating autochthonous cases of Chagas disease, which are increasingly common. Btw, more and more triatomines have also been observed in the northern states of the USA.

[@leafykun5932]

I love your videos. Interesting and amazing :)

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you like them!

[@SiffrinISAT]

I remember finding a kissing bug over here and being so confused bc well, they *arent* supposed to be in this country (or any other in europe for that matter). Cant remember the exact ID but I did check in with entomologysts and it was one (I believe Triatoma sanguisuga, but might've been another one of the same family)

[@KQEDDeepLook]

interesting - wonder how it got there?

[@SiffrinISAT]

@@KQEDDeepLook I wonder too, maybe the airport since it was not far from that house.

[@avaliausd.]

02:54 It looks like the bug stops to listen to the narrator, shrugs his shoulders, then nonchalantly walks away.

[@user-om2do9bk2v]

Did you know an average human will swallow 8-10 spiders during sleep in our lifetime? F*** it, I'm going to Mars.

[@user-jj8nr7qw3g]

2:32 Me checking my bed if it's had this brown thing* … Oh no…

[@itsjustalf7747]

Smh guys just tell the kissing bug “sorry I’m taken by daddy jesus” and it will back off slowly and run away like a human

[@heflash]

My dad died because of this sonbitch. My grandpa was infected when my dad had an accident, in that time the healthcare was super basic, they did a blood transfusion without exams and the parasite infected my dad. Years later my grandpa got sick, some yars later my dad started getting sick. He lived almost 4 years with chagas and died in 2010. I work in my city heath department and I always check about notifications of sights of this bug so we can help people before chagas get worse.

[@deejayRavien]

Read it as 'sometimes when it feeds it pops' was waiting for the bug to explode from feeding, which wouldve been a million times less gross.

[@naga_serpentis]

“It likes your warm body” At least something likes me.

[@Silly-Goose-OG]

There’s nothing worse than looking up some sketchy insect alongside you province/state just to realize that it is 10 miles away and rapidly approaching.

[@lalaland962]

These awful things are one of the few bugs I'd kill.

[@mephistopheles7377]

Pretty sure this is why fire was invented.

[@desertflower8606]

You just had to say “When you’re asleep”, just as i’m about to go to bed

[@panpanpon]

That bug had no shame lol, it feeds on you and at the same time it poops on you too.

[@mr.pizzamarlon]

New fear unlocked. Never going sleep again.

[@mianuvoletta690]

Sometimes a person is sad that he does not live in places like America, but is still happy that he lives in a country where nothing poisonous lives and he does not have to be afraid to sleep.

[@Jie_Hua]

i saw one of these bugs outside of my house, and I WAS OUTSIDE OF MY OWN HOME FOR 25 MINUTES, AND AS SOON AS I THOUGHT IT LEFT THE PREMISES OF MY HOME, IT JUMPSCARED ME AND CAME OUT OF A BUSH AND I BOOKED IT BACK INSIDE OF MY HOME

[@OG_MASTERZ]

Imagine accidentally stepping on this bug

[@EphemeralProductions]

These are basically bedbugs that fly. Lol. They are almost as hard to kill an infestation of them. They’re worse actually because bedbugs don’t give disease, these do.

[@ZuraJura]

Thankfully my bedroom have a temperature of an oven. Not a single bug can live here.

[@nicolettechalmers4567]

“They will dig in ANYWHERE you left uncovered!” I’m now sleeping my blankets for the rest of my life （╹◡╹）

[@a.k.athefundraisera.k.athe6788]

this is why mosquitos is enough.

[@imnotdcijlkash4834]

“It can actually make you really sick, and even kill you” *allows it to be on a dude’s arm*

[@whitelisted1699]

"they like ur warm body" people with anemia: :D for ppl who dont get it anemia is when u have below average blood in ur body causing ur body not to curculate blood properly (circulation helps alot with body heat) so you end up having lower body temprature and being freezing cold on finget tips toe tips and ur ears and nose.

[@technoiris9868]

Imagine if you could use the same cooling tech in modern air conditioner...

[@inuyasha]

Thanks KZbin for recommending me this when I never asked for it.

[@godzillamanz8139]

….your first kiss? Nah it’s your first nightmare.

[@kingravity2975]

Who named these dollar store vampires a cute name like “kissing bugs”

[@MountSpacely]

I honestly don’t appreciate how I’ve never knew of the existence of these things in my life until a year ago, and I thought they were just beetles. I’ve had a lot of phases of insects come and go around the house, and I blame the pest control for it. I miss the huge prehistoric looking beetles, but anyway, for the first time ever, these started to appear a year or so ago and would accumulate in the masses on my laundry room window. None ever made their way inside, but hearing that they can potentially “kill” you is - smh. A video about them just chilling comfortably in my reccs all of a sudden is weird too, lol.

[@JOSEF_GAMING45]

Yeah last year was the first year we've seen them. actually got bit by one last night.

[@stanleyyypdf]

" they like your warm body " Me who's body kept freezing cold at night: 👁️👄👁️

[@Cringe_Lord]

Least he gives the homies a goodnight kiss

[@Suigeneris-g8q]

What stunts me about all these "blood suction" insects is how do their body is able to adapt to any group of human blood. In the other hand, in case of blood transfusions, a human can't get provided with any type of blood.

[@scottashe984]

Because they eat blood. You can eat blood from different animals doesn't matter the box type. The insects don't use your blood as a replacement for thier own. Lol

[@carlam.benjamin3844]

How dare they?! Stealing people’s blood as they rest & then having the nerve to leave a parasite behind.

[@mutantdog]

Gotta be honest I would LOVE to make a blood filled kissing bug explode I am a psychopath