At its most basic level, disgust is a survival mechanism designed to prevent the ingestion of toxins and exposure to pathogens. Disgust: An Emotion Most Vile - Sylvia Karasu, MD
Disgust is frequently referred to as the because it acts as a primary regulatory system that guards the boundaries of the self. Originally evolved to protect the physical body from biological threats, it has expanded to guard the "psychological self" and social order. 1. The Biological Gatekeeper: Physical Self-Defense Disgust: The Gatekeeper Emotion