I think it started out with a very small handful of people high on hubris getting exposed to pesticides, then that group basically talked themselves into other symptoms with a mass psychogenic illness, only for it to blow up as a bunch of ghouls called out of work with hangovers.

that and there’s a lot of evidence that they don’t actually have a conscience

Lol, my dad is a retired sailor and has been to Cuba quite a few times. Apparently bars there sell a mint liquor that’s sweet, fresh and devilishly strong, but you won’t know it until you try and stand up. Wonder how many after-work dos ended with Havana syndrome because of it.