The Endocannabinoid System and Weight Loss
Genetic variants in the endocannabinoid system are strongly linked to increased appetite and higher weight. Find out if you naturally have ‘the munchies’. (Member’s article)
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Circadian Rhythm and Your Immune Response to Viruses
Your circadian rhythm influences your immune response. Learn how this rhythm controls white blood cell production and why melatonin protects against viral and bacterial infections.
Genes that impact response to Modafinil
Genetic variants make a difference in how you respond to modfinil — whether it is likely to work well for you or not.
Increased Slow Wave Sleep
Find out how genes interact with your lifestyle in controlling the amount of deep sleep you get each night. Check out your genetic variants and hack your sleep. (Member’s article)
Genetics and 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: Addicted to the internet?
Genetics plays a role in susceptibility to addictive behavior, including internet and smartphone addiction. This article examines the latest fad of dopamine fasting along with genetic variants tied to internet use problems, smartphone usage disorder, and gaming disorders.
Oxytocin Levels: Genetics of the Love Hormone
Oxytocin is called the love hormone. Genetic variants in the OXT gene are linked to being more social and empathetic vs being more of an introvert.
Alcohol Metabolism: ALDH2 and ADH1B Genes
Wondering why you don’t react the same way to alcohol as your friends do? Some people metabolize alcohol faster leaving a build-up of acetaldehyde. Learn more about why this can be a health problem for some.
COMT Gene: Neurotransmitter Levels, Estrogen Metabolism, and SNPs
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.
Response to Cannabis: CB1 & CB2 Genetic Variants
Discover how genetic variants influence your susceptibility to substance abuse, and how the variants impact your body’s reaction to cannabis. (Member’s article)
BMAL1: Core circadian gene with links to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes
A core circadian rhythm gene, BMAL1, influences heart disease risk, diabetes, and cancer. Check your genes and learn how to mitigate the risk.
Motivation to exercise? It’s genetic.
A study in the journal Behavioral Brain Research paints a fascinating picture of why some people are more motivated to exercise. The study looked at the dopaminergic system to see how people’s genetic variants could alter the ‘reinforcing value’ of exercise.
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.
How natural Supplements can Change Circadian Gene Expression
Did you know that some supplements change the expression of your core circadian clock genes? Your core circadian rhythm genes are foundational to your health, and some supplements alter that rhythm.
HIF-1a: Hypoxia, Cancer, and Athletic Superpowers
The hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF1A) gene codes for a transcription factor, that responds to the amount of oxygen available to the cell. This is important in cancer prevention, and several HIF1A genetic variants alter the susceptibility to several types of cancer.
Telomere Length: How your Genes affect Telomeres and Aging
Your telomeres are the region at the end of each chromosome that keeps your DNA intact when your cells divide. Genetics plays a role here – along with diet and lifestyle.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP): Marker of Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is the driver of many common diseases such as heart attacks, diabetes, obesity, and autoimmune diseases. C-Reactive Protein is a marker of inflammation. Genetic variants can increase or decrease CRP levels.
Resilience: Genetic Variants Involved in Surviving Childhood Trauma
Exposure to childhood trauma, such as exposure to abuse, violence, or repeated stress, can have a long-lasting effect. Genetic differences in the CRHR1 gene are linked to elevated cortisol levels in adults who were exposed to trauma in childhood.
Blue-blocking Glasses: Why? Which ones?
An easy way to improve sleep and increase melatonin production at night is to wear blue light blocking glasses before bed. Explore the research on why this is so important, and learn about the different options available for blue-blocking glasses.
Do you Wake up at 4 AM? Genetic Variants of Morning Insomnia
Seeing 3:30 or 4:00 on your clock each morning? There could be a physiological reason for this. Learn about the genetic variants linked to early waking insomnia and the connection to depression. (Member’s article)
BDNF: Cognition, Stress Resilience, Introversion, and Mood
Low levels of BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor) are linked to introversion, stress resilience, cognition, and depression levels. Discover ways to increase your BDNF levels and mitigate the problems associated with the BDNF gene variants. (Member’s article)
Resources for Practitioners Wanting to Incorporate Genetics into their Practice
Your patients are coming in with their 23andMe data and wanting you to tell them what to eat, what supplements to take, and when they are going to get disease XYZ. Sound familiar? Doctors and health practitioners today are under enormous pressure to keep up with the rapidly changing science … Read more
Insomnia Solutions Based on Your Genes
Learn about some of the genetic reasons for insomnia — and the solutions that may work for you based on your genetic variants.
Changing Your Circadian Gene Expression with Polyphenols
Polyphenols can change the gene expression of your core circadian rhythm genes. Learn how to epigentically impact your biological clock with natural foods.
PMS, PMDD, Genetics, and Solutions
Studies estimate that PMS is up to 95% heritable – which means that it has a significant genetic component.