Serotonin 2A receptor variants: psychedelics, brain aging, and Alzheimer’s disease
Learn how new research on brain aging and dementia connects the serotonin 2A receptor with psychedelics, brain aging and Alzheimer’s.
Mood and Brain
Your genes make you unique! From mood to cognitive function, your genetic variants interact with your lifestyle and environment to impact your risk of mood disorders.
Learn how to work with your genetic variants to optimize cognitive function and improve mood issues.
Please keep in mind that these articles for educational purposes — learn about the biochemistry, understand your genetics, and talk with your doctor if you have medical questions.
Member’s: Check out the Brain and Mood Topic Summary Report for a quick overview of all your genetic variants related to mood and cognitive function.
Is inflammation causing your depression and anxiety? Inflammation genes and mood
Discover why inflammation causes depression and how your genetic variants in inflammatory genes may play a role in depression or anxiety.
Lithium orotate and B12 make the world a happier place… for some people.
For some people, low-dose, supplemental lithium orotate is a game changer when combined with vitamin B12. But other people may have little to no response. The difference may be in your genes.
Depression, Genetics, and Circadian Rhythm
For some people, circadian disruption can be chronic – and at the heart of depression or mood disorders. Genetic variants play a role in this susceptibility. Fortunately, there are solutions that may help.
GABA: Genetic variants that impact this inhibitory neurotransmitter
GABA (gamma-Aminobuyteric acid) is a neurotransmitter that acts to block or inhibit a neuron from firing. It is an essential way that the brain regulates impulses, and low GABA levels are linked with several conditions including anxiety and PTSD. (Member’s article)
Tryptophan: Building block for serotonin and melatonin
Tryptophan is an amino acid that the body uses to make serotonin and melatonin. Genetic variants can impact the amount of tryptophan that is used for serotonin. This can influence mood, sleep, neurotransmitters, and immune response.
Brain & Mood Topic Summary
Utilize our Brain & Mood Topic Summary Reports with your 23andMe or AncestryDNA genetic data to see which articles may be most relevant to you. These summaries are attempting to distill the complex information down into just a few words. Please see the linked articles for details and complete references. (Member’s article)
MTHFR and Depression
We are all genetically unique, and a common genetic variant in the MTHFR gene causes some people to be more susceptible to having low folate levels. This article explains the research linking MTHFR variants, folate, and depression — and gives you information on how diet or supplements may help.
Genetics and Anxiety
This article covers genetic variants related to anxiety disorders. Genetic variants combine with environmental factors (nutrition, sleep, relationships, etc), when it comes to anxiety. There is not a single “anxiety gene”. Instead, there are many genes that can be involved – and many genetic pathways to target for solutions.
Genetics of Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is characterized by recurrent depression with a change in the season usually in fall/winter for most. Scientists think this is possibly due to an aberrant response to light – either not enough brightness to the sunlight or not enough hours of light. Your genes play a big role in this responsiveness to light.
Dopamine Fasting: Genetics, Addictive Behavior, and Internet Usage
Genetics plays a role in susceptibility to addictive behavior, including internet and smartphone addiction. This article takes a look at the new trend of ‘dopamine fasting’ and then digs into the research on smartphone usage disorder.
Choline – An Essential Nutrient
An essential nutrient, your need for choline from foods is greatly influenced by your genes. Find out whether you should be adding more choline into your diet.
COMT – A gene that affects your neurotransmitter levels
Wondering why your neurotransmitters are out of balance? It could be due to your COMT genetic variants. The COMT gene codes for the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase which breaks down (metabolizes) the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.
Our Body’s Response to Cannabis (CNR1 gene): A Look into Dependency Risk
Discover how genetic variants influence your susceptibility to substance abuse, and how the variants impact your body’s reaction to cannabis. (Member’s article)
The Interaction Between BDNF and Serotonin
Genetic variants in the BDNF and serotonin receptor genes combine to increase the risk of depression and anxiety. Learn more about BDNF and how these variants interact — and check your genetic data to see how this applies to you.
Dopamine Receptor Genes
Dopamine is a powerful player in our cognitive function – impacting mood, movement, and motivation. Genetic variants in the dopamine receptors influence addiction, ADHD, neurological diseases, depression, psychosis, and aggression.