MENTAL HEALTH AND GENETICS

Many Illnesses Are Grounded in Genetics – Mental Illness As Well

Genetics play a huge role in mental health. We even use genetic testing to assist with medication management. These tests are quite accurate in helping us determine the most effective medication for treating a particular illness based on the patients DNA profile. As in all areas of medicine, we have found that our DNA and family history outweigh the environmental factors. Nearly every major mental illness has been identified with a corresponding gene or protein. This would include anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

If someone has a predisposition or family history for a certain mental health issue; they ought to avoid the environmental factors that would bring about this illness. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding cannabis will help prevent trigger an episode.

Family History – Predisposition

The study of the genetic connection with mental illness has given rise to a field of study known as epigenetics. The environment and genetics are inextricably linked together with regards to the causes of mental illness. Ultimately the cause of mental illness is the body’s inability to produce or regulate the neurotransmitters and chemical in the brain, these irregularities are caused by a variety of reasons.

DNA vs Environment

An interesting study conducted by Klaus Hansen of the University of Copenhagen demonstrated the influence of stress on the developing fetus. Namely how stress can activate certain gene settings which can cause anxiety. Hansen concluded that the environment can change the DNA and leave an individual with a genetic predisposition for an anxiety disorder later in life.

We can take this one step further in that the brain is undergoing development until the age of 24. During this development, individuals who are subjected to horrific trauma, drug and alcohol abuse, can also provoke genetic changes as well. This would also give us an answer to how these mental disorders enter our family gene pools.

Studies have demonstrated different ways by which the environmental stress can be linked with depression. The lack of vitamin D can be linked to depression and schizophrenia. Missing proteins in the DNA are linked to depression. A genetic link to suicide, missing pieces of DNA are being linked to ADHD; and a study showing a possible link with bipolar disorder and genetics. All of these studies offer prolific explanations regarding the origins of mental illness.

More Studies

Researchers have pinpointed that certain methyl groups need to be attached to various proteins in order for DNA to have proper gene settings. In plain language, the B vitamins, especially folic acid, B12, and B6 are needed in brain cells to ensure an adequate supply of methyl groups in the presence of stress. If a pregnant mother is lacking certain B vitamins, and thus methyl groups, this deficiency can cause a chemical reaction and deleterious gene settings to establish themselves. We have developed medical-foods to enhance the brains’ ability to absorb these B vitamins.

Another study from McGill University shows that a lack of a mother’s affection following birth can retard the GABA in the brain. GABA is needed to relax the nerves. An inability to make GABA, creates a disposition for insomnia, anxiety, and in more advanced cases schizophrenia. GABA serves as the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. These are just a few of many studies that show how the environment affects our genes.

Negative Environmental Issues

The issue of the environment affecting cellular structure, neurotransmitters, and DNA is nothing new to science. We see this taking place in carcinogenic substances altering the genetic-code thus causing cancer; we see the environment (substance abuse) altering the neurotransmitters thus precluding the brain’s ability to produce the proper balance of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These studies in epigenetics are now taking science to a new level. As epigenetics progresses, so will our understanding of the primary causes of mental illness, with the hope that this knowledge will bring about better treatments and maybe a cure someday.