"Aversive emotional stimuli are those that evoke negative emotions, such as fear, anxiety, disgust, or sadness. They can be either internal or external. Internal aversive stimuli include thoughts, memories, and bodily sensations. External aversive stimuli include sights, sounds, smells, and tastes.
The COMT gene has two variants: one that works at a normal pace (Val) and one that's slower (Met). People with the slower variant have more dopamine in their prefrontal cortex, which can make them more sensitive to emotional stimuli, leading to heightened reactions to aversive emotions.
Approximately 50% of the population has one or the other COMT variant. This gene can indirectly influence how we perceive and interact with the world, and it may contribute to why some people seem to handle stress better than others." Quoted from Livewello.com
Dr. Straile: There are three variants of the COMT gene in the IMAET software Allergens panel.
COMT - the 'real' gene - The COMT gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called catechol-O-methyltransferase. This gene helps break down dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. A defect will cause higher dopamine due to slower breakdown. Implicated in ADD/ADHD. More susceptible to dopamine fluctuations, therefore mood swings. People without COMT mutations are generally more even tempered.
COMT is important in the metabolism of catechol drugs used in the treatment of hypertension, asthma, and Parkinson disease. Diseases associated with COMT include Panic Disorder and Schizophrenia.
2. COMT H62H - This gene helps break down dopamine and norepinephrine. A defect will cause higher dopamine due to slower breakdown. Involved in ADD/ADHD. More susceptible to dopamine fluctuations, therefore mood swings. People without COMT mutations are generally more even tempered.
3. COMT V158M - This gene variant has been found to affect executive functions such as cognitive flexibility, impulse control, abstract thought, and being able to follow rules and task structures.
Also involved in Estrogen dominance, violent behavior, significantly associated with schizophrenia, increased susceptibility to psychosis, better performance tests of prefrontal cortex function and working memory.
The IMAET can provide a bioenergetic balancing feedback for these mutations. I have observed in clinic an epigenetic (functional) change in these affected pathways.
Supplements (and diet) also have some influence on genetic expression. Here are some dietary supplements related to the content of this post:
Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogenic herb and may inhibit COMT activity, particularly in people with the val/val genotype. It could help modulate dopamine levels and improve stress resilience.
Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce inflammation and protect dopamine-producing neurons. This could support healthy emotional processing, especially in met allele carriers.
SAM-e is involved in methylation processes including COMT methylation of catecholamines. Supplementing with SAM-e could potentially optimize COMT enzyme function
Ginkgo biloba extracts contain terpenes that act as MAO inhibitors, allowing more dopamine and norepinephrine to remain circulating in the brain, which could benefit emotion regulation.
Lavender essential oil contains linalool which has anxiolytic effects. One study found lavender oil decreased anxiety symptoms more in met/met genotypes, possibly by increasing dopamine availability.
Resveratrol has COMT-inhibiting effects similar to curcumin according to some research. It may boost dopamine signaling in the prefrontal cortex.
Passionflower increases GABA activity in the brain (traditional use). It may also inhibit MAO enzymes leading to higher dopamine and norepinephrine.
nice
Very interesting!!