Smarter, Happier, and Focused…
Unlock the potential of your mind by understanding how your genes impact the production of neurotransmitters. Learn how to optimize your diet and lifestyle for mood, focus, and cognitive abilities.
Why Neurotransmitters Matter
Use your understanding of how your brain uniquely works to:
- Enhance cognitive function and focus
- Regulate mood and emotions
- Manage stress and anxiety
Neurotransmitter Function & Neurochemistry
Dig into the genetics and background science of how your neurotransmitters work.
Neuropilins: Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Gut Barrier, & Covid Brain
Neuropilins act as receptors and are found on the surface of cells. Learn about its many roles body, such as in the immune, vascular and nervous systems.
MAO-A and MAO-B: Neurotransmitter levels, genetics, and warrior gene studies
The MAOA and MAOB genes encode enzymes that break down certain neurotransmitters. People with low MAO may be prone to mood issues in certain circumstances.
Glutamate: Synthesis, transport, and supplement interactions
Glutamate is synthesized from glutamine or alpha-ketoglutarate. Imbalanced glutamate levels play a role in several neurological disorders.
Dopamine Synthesis SNPs: Genes, lifestyle, diet, and dopamine optimization
Two key enzymes are needed for dopamine synthesis. Genetics, diet, and lifestyle can influence your dopamine production.
Dopamine Receptor SNPs: Addiction, Mood, ADHD, and Schizophrenia
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.
COMT: How to Optimize Your Supplements for Your COMT Genotype
Some supplements interact with COMT variants to impact the rate at which neurotransmitters are broken down. Check your COMT genotype and discover how this may affect your reaction to different supplements or combinations of supplements.
Tryptophan Pathways: Kynurenine, 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.
GABA: Genetics, Anxiety, and Immune Response
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.
Serotonin: How Your Genes Affect this Neurotransmitter
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is important in depression, sleep, and many other aspects of health. Learn how your genetic variants in the serotonin receptor genes impact their function.
VMAT2 gene: The God Gene and Neurotransmitters
An examination of the current research for the ‘God gene’, explaining what it does and its importance in Parkinson’s disease.
Serotonin 2A receptor: Psychedelic response 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.
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.
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.
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)
Mood & Mental Health
Mood disorders can have underlying root causes that are driven by genetic susceptibility combined with your environment. Understanding the pathways involved may help you find the right solutions for you.
Anxiety: Genetics, heredity, and personalized solutions
When it comes to anxiety, genetic variants combine with environmental factors (nutrition, sleep, relationships, etc) when it comes to anxiety. Understanding your anxiety genes can help you figure out which pathways to target.
Root Cause(s) of Depression
Depression can have multiple physiological causes. This article ties together 9 separate articles on depression to simply your genetic search.
Psychopaths: Born not made?
Can you be born a psychopath? Are there genes linked to psychopathy? Discover how your genes don’t predestine you to become a psychopath.
Depression, genetics, and mitochondrial function
How does mitochondrial dysfunction relate to major depressive disorder? Learn about the causes of mitochondrial dysfunction as well as genetic variants that link the risk of depression to the mitochondria.
MTHFR, Depression, Anxiety, Symptoms and Treatment
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.
ANK3: Bipolar Disorder and Brain Development
The genetic variants in the ANK3 gene impact the risk of psychiatric disorders that include bipolar disorder and autism spectrum disorders, and heart arrhythmia. Discover how ANK3 impacts neuronal formation and transmission and how this ties into an increased risk of psychiatric disorders.
Circadian rhythm disruption as a root cause of depression
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.
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.
Bipolar Disorder, Depression, and Circadian Clock Genes
New research shows that depression and bipolar disorder are linked to changes or disruption in circadian genes. Some people carry genetic variants in the circadian genes that make them more susceptible to circadian disruption.
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.
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.
Circadian Rhythm Genes: Mood Disorders
Circadian rhythm disruption can drive mood disorders. Learn more about the genes involved and the ways to normalize your circadian rhythm.
Cognitive Function
Optimize your cognitive function by understanding how your brain works.
Genetics and Intelligence: IQ-Influencing Genes and Paths to Optimization
Hundreds of identified genes influence intelligence, from IQ scores to musical ability. Learn more about your intelligence strengths and ways to enhance your cognitive function.
Nootropics and Genetics: Smart Drugs and Your Genes
Nootropics are supplements used to boost cognition and memory. Learn how the substance works and the genes connected to the mechanism of action.
Best Supplements to Boost BDNF
Is it smart to boost your BDNF levels? Discover more by digging into the research studies that show when, how, and why it is important to focus on BDNF.
CBD Oil: Will it work for you?
Why do some people get such great benefits from CBD while others notice nothing? Your genes play a role in how your body responds to CBD.
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.
Addiction
Genetic variants play a strong role in the potential for addiction.
Alcohol Addiction: Exploring the Genetic and Environmental Factors
Discover the role of genetics, stress, and neurotransmitters in alcohol use disorder. Alcohol dependence is complex; understand your genes and the research on treatment options.
Response to Cannabis (CNR1 gene)
Discover how genetic variants influence your susceptibility to substance abuse, and how the variants impact your body’s reaction to cannabis. (Member’s article)
Opioid Receptors Genetic Variants and Addiction
Genetic variants in the ORPM1 gene impact both the amount of pain someone experiences and their response to opioid drugs. These variants are also important in susceptibility to opiate addiction. (Member’s article)