Could Certain Genes Be Making You Feel On Edge?
Nature vs. nurture.
It’s the age-old debate—are we born a certain way, or do we become that way over time?
When it comes to anxiety, irritability, or that constant “wired but tired” feeling, the answer is usually both.
Your genetics don’t dictate your destiny—but they can influence how your nervous system responds to stress, stimulation, and daily life.
Some people are simply born with genetic variations that make it harder for the body to process and clear stimulating neurotransmitters like dopamine, adrenaline, and serotonin when they build up. In the right environment, this may never be an issue. In the wrong one, it can feel like living with a nervous system that’s always one step away from overload.
An Important Clarification (This Matters)
Having a genetic variant does not mean something is “wrong” with you.
It does not mean you’re broken, doomed, or destined for anxiety.
It simply means your body may have a narrower margin for stress, and when the system becomes depleted or overwhelmed, certain symptoms may show up more easily—like feeling on edge, irritable, overstimulated, or unable to fully relax.
Genes express themselves based on context.
Nutrition, sleep, inflammation, toxin load, and chronic stress all influence whether these pathways become a problem—or stay quiet.
The Nervous System Connection
Many of the sensations people describe as anxiety aren’t always psychological. Often, they’re biochemical signals—the result of neurotransmitters lingering longer than they should, or being produced faster than the body can break them down.
This is where a few key genetic pathways come into play.
Three Genes Commonly Linked to Nervous System Overload
1. MTHFR
Methylation & neurotransmitter balance
Many people carry at least one common MTHFR variant — with estimates suggesting up to 60–70% of individuals have at least one of the two common variants (C677T or A1298C). Link
MTHFR is involved in a process called methylation, which plays a role in:
-
Neurotransmitter production and clearance
-
Stress hormone metabolism
-
Detoxification pathways
-
Cellular energy production
When this pathway isn’t running efficiently, the nervous system may struggle to regulate stimulation. This doesn’t automatically cause anxiety—but under stress, it may make it harder to adapt.
Think of methylation as part of the nervous system’s “reset” mechanism.
2. COMT
Clearing dopamine, adrenaline, and estrogen
COMT is responsible for breaking down stimulating compounds like:
-
Dopamine
-
Norepinephrine
-
Epinephrine (adrenaline)
When COMT activity is slower, these neurotransmitters can linger longer than intended. For some people, that can feel like:
-
Racing thoughts
-
Sensitivity to stress or caffeine
-
Difficulty “coming down” after stimulation
Again—this isn’t inherently bad. Many high-performing, creative individuals have slower COMT activity. It just means the system needs better regulation, not more stimulation.
3. MAOA
Breaking down serotonin, dopamine, and stress signals
MAOA plays a role in metabolizing several neurotransmitters involved in mood and emotional regulation.
When this pathway is sluggish, emotional signals may feel louder or longer-lasting, especially during periods of poor sleep, high stress, or nutrient depletion.
This can sometimes show up as irritability, emotional reactivity, or feeling easily overwhelmed—particularly when the nervous system doesn’t get enough recovery time.
The Bigger Picture
These genes don’t cause anxiety.
They shape how resilient your nervous system is under pressure.
In a supported body—adequate nutrition, proper recovery, stable energy—these pathways often function quietly.
In a depleted or overstimulated system, they may feel louder.
Genetics aren’t the problem. Context is.
What Supports These Pathways?
When people hear about genetics, the instinct is often to ask:
“How do I fix this?”
But genes like MTHFR, COMT, and MAOA don’t need fixing. They need the right environment.
These pathways are heavily influenced by how supported—or depleted—the body is. When the nervous system has what it needs, genetic differences often fade into the background. When it doesn’t, those same pathways can feel louder.
Here are the big-picture factors that tend to support these systems.
1. Adequate Methylation Support (Without Overstimulation)
Methylation plays a role in neurotransmitter balance, stress response, and detoxification.
The key isn’t “more” — it’s appropriate support.
For many people, this looks like:
-
Sufficient intake of B-vitamins in forms the body can use
-
Avoiding extremes (too little or too much stimulation)
-
Paying attention to how the body responds, not just what’s trending
Overdriving methylation can be just as disruptive as under-supporting it, especially for sensitive nervous systems.
2. Nervous System Recovery > Nervous System Stimulation
Genes like COMT and MAOA influence how quickly stimulating neurotransmitters are cleared.
If stimulation constantly outweighs recovery, the system can feel “stuck on.”
Supportive habits often include:
-
Consistent sleep timing
-
Reduced late-night stimulation (light, screens, intense workouts)
-
Building true down-regulation into the day, not just collapse at night
Calm isn’t created by forcing relaxation — it’s created by allowing recovery to actually happen.
3. Stable Blood Sugar & Energy Availability
Neurotransmitter balance is energy-dependent.
When blood sugar swings or energy intake is inconsistent, stress hormones rise — increasing the very neurotransmitters these genes are responsible for clearing.
For many people, nervous system steadiness improves when:
-
Meals are regular and sufficient
-
Protein intake is adequate
-
Long periods of under-fueling are avoided
This is often overlooked but foundational.
4. Mineral Balance & Cellular Signaling
Minerals act like traffic controllers for nerve signaling.
Imbalances don’t usually cause anxiety outright — but they can lower the threshold for overstimulation.
Supporting mineral status helps the nervous system:
-
Communicate clearly
-
Contract and relax appropriately
-
Respond instead of overreact
This is about balance, not megadosing.
5. Reducing the “Total Load” on the System
Genes express themselves more strongly when the body is overloaded.
Inflammation, poor sleep, chronic stress, environmental exposures, and emotional strain all add to the same bucket. Supporting these pathways often means removing pressure, not adding interventions.
Sometimes the most powerful support is:
-
Fewer inputs
-
More consistency
-
Less urgency
The Takeaway
These genes don’t mean your nervous system is fragile.
They mean your body may rely more heavily on foundational support to stay regulated.
When the basics are in place, many people find that the “edge” softens—not because anything was fixed, but because the system finally had room to breathe.
At Nine Lives Longevity, we believe resilience is built from the ground up.
Not forced.
Not hacked.
Supported.
Understanding your genetic tendencies isn’t about labeling yourself. It’s about learning how to work with your nervous system instead of against it.
Because calm isn’t something you force.
It’s something you create the conditions for.