Surprising Genetic Connections

From Hypnosis to Mosquito Bite Attraction

Genetic Lifehacks Weekly Newsletter

Genetic variants make each of us unique—something you probably already know! However, small changes in our genes can also influence traits you might not typically consider to be ‘genetic.’

My latest article is on hypnosis, exploring what happens in the brain and the genetic variants that influence hypnotizability—that is, how easily a person can be hypnotized. A Genetic Lifehacks member asked me about this topic, and it turned out to be fascinating.

Clinical trials show that hypnosis is effective for some people for pain relief, depression, smoking cessation, and even COPD. Genetic variants help explain, at least in part, the difference in the ability to be hypnotized and why some people respond better to clinical hypnotherapy.

Did you know that some people attract mosquitoes more than others? While traits like red hair or freckles are clear to see as inherited, genetic variants also affect other aspects of our biology, such as how attractive we are to mosquitoes. We differ in the volatile compounds given off by our skin and also in how much a mosquito bite will swell up or itch.

As usual, I’ve been busy this week updating articles with the latest research. I wanted to highlight here that I added several genetic variants to the multiple chemical sensitivity article. Multiple chemical sensitivity is when you have adverse reactions triggered by low levels of environmental chemicals or odor, such as when entering a building that smells of cleaning products or new carpeting.

Stay curious!

Debbie

Hypnosis Genes: Genetic Influences on Hypnosis

Key takeaways:
~ Hypnosis is a state involving deep relaxation and intense focus.
~ Research shows hypnosis is associated with changes in brain activity, such as deactivation of the frontal cortex and increased activity in regions like the inferior frontal gyrus in highly hypnotizable individuals.
~ Neurotransmitters like oxytocin and dopamine are involved in the hypnotic response, and genetic variants affect the responsiveness to hypnosis.
~ Certain gene variants in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) have been shown to influence hypnosis susceptibility.

Read the rest of the article here

Mosquito Bite Genes: Are you a mosquito magnet?

Key takeaways:
~ Mosquitoes are more attracted to some people due to volatile compounds on the skin.
~ The size and itchiness of mosquito bites are due to reactions to the mosquito saliva.
~ Genetic variants affect both attractiveness to mosquitoes and the size of the bite reaction.

Read the rest of the article here

What I've been reading:
1. Associations between lung and endothelial function in long COVID: Two years after acute infection

Researchers have found that the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the endothelium (lining of blood vessels) interact with reduced lung function in long Covid. From the study: "These persistent abnormalities suggest a complex interplay between pulmonary dysfunction and vascular health."

2. Mitochondrial origins of the pressure to sleep

This is a really cool new paper exploring the changes that go on in the neurons that control the need to sleep. The researchers from Oxford found that mitochondria in the sleep-regulating neurons get overloaded and leak electrons, which act as a signal to initiate sleep. Thus, sleep is triggered when mitochondrial stress in the brain crosses a specific threshold, and during sleep, there are morphological changes in the mitochondria in the neurons. There's a lot more to the paper, and I'm not explaining it very well. I would encourage you to read through it if you are interested in what goes on in the brain that causes every animal to need to sleep.