Why are you sad?


Why are you sad?







Know Thyself

Brain

Every individual is genetically unique. Our genes carry thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) - naturally-occurring variations that make our DNA distinct. These SNPs contribute to our genetic uniqueness. The intricate science behind this technology may be complex, but our goal is simple: to provide you with useful information to improve your mental health.

Plant

An essential part of human biochemistry, the Folate Cycle, is supported by the nutrients we get when we eat plants, particularly green plants. Multiple changes to the Folate Cycle, often due to SNPs, can reduce the availability of Methylfolate in the brain, increasing risks for mental health issues. The food we eat can have a positive or negative impact on the Folate Cycle and our overall health.

Flowers

By understanding the Folate Cycle SNPs and their impact on your body, we can guide you in addressing these issues through targeted nutritional supplementation. Your personal history and genetic data can serve as a roadmap to addressing the impact of mental health risk factors, such as additional Methyl Folate for the MTHFR gene or L-Tyrosine for the COMT gene.


Genetics, Nutrition and Mental Health

Unlock your brain's code and boost your mood.


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Your Brain

Your Brain

Depression is more than just prolonged sadness. It interferes with daily functioning, creating a feeling of being constantly stressed out and overwhelmed. You might find yourself facing irritability, difficulty focusing, sleep changes, and a pervasive depressed mood. Roughly 20% of adults in the US are currently battling significant symptoms of depression, and while antidepressant medications provide relief for some, a significant number remain unresponsive to multiple treatments.


The answer to effective treatment may be in your genes. As we learn more about the astounding advancements in genetics and the affordability of genetic testing, we see that our unique genetic blueprint plays a critical role in our mental health. Yet, this treasure trove of information remains largely unused in healthcare. At Gene Gazer, we aim to change that. We’re here to help you decipher your unique genetic code and its impact on your mental health, offering information and secure, anonymous analysis to help you understand the connection between your genes, lifestyle choices, and mental wellness.

An extremely important part of human biochemistry is the Folate Cycle, which was named for Vitamin B9 (Methyl Folate). In its simplest form, the Folate Cycle serves to provide chemical energy to all of the cells in our bodies. Our brains have the highest energy requirements of any organ in the human body and are exquisitely sensitive to any changes in the Folate Cycle.


We each inherit dozens of genes that impact how our the folate cycle. In turn, these genes can serve to decrease the effectiveness of energy transmission that particularly impacts brain function. Multiple changes to the Folate Cycle are often present and may serve to reduce the availability of Vitamin B9 in the brain, resulting in a variety of sensations and behaviors. These reported symptoms are quite consistent across individuals with multiple SNPs involving the Folate Cycle and reflect the importance of the underlying biochemistry. Interestingly, there are 50 years of scientific publications demonstrating the effectiveness of Methyl Folate in reducing the symptoms of depression (and improving the response to antidepressant medications).






“What more powerful form of study of mankind could there be than to read our own instruction book?”


— Francis Collins, MD, PhD

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We all experience periods of sadness. Unfortunately, for many of us the sadness persists and interferes with daily functioning. Feelings of being stressed out and overwhelmed are present for weeks. Irritability, inability to focus, depressed mood, and changes in sleep are common during these episodes. The CDC estimates that about 20% of adults in the US are currently experiencing significant depressive symptoms.

Genetic Trace

Genetics plays an important role in depression and an understanding of genetics is important for effective treatment. Recent advancements in genetics are astounding and the cost of genetic testing makes it accessible for many individuals. It has been estimated that about 17% of the adults in the US have undergone genetic testing using a commercial service such as 23andMe, Ancestry, or Nebula Genomics. At this time, however, little of this information has been incorporated into healthcare.

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The human genome is frighteningly complex. It is estimated that there are roughly 25,000 human genes, with each gene consisting of several thousand base pairs of DNA. In addition, there are an even larger number of genes that are involved in regulating this complexity, but science knows even less about this segment of the human genome. Commercial services such as 23andMe and Nebula Genomics have served to revolutionize genetics through technological advances in sample processing and computational power.



The Gene Gazer Story

Know thyself!



Your Brain

  Gene Gazer is all about offering a holistic, personalized service to provide personalized information about your genetic code. You're one of a kind, and you deserve tailored support to unlock your full potential. By understanding the building blocks of your mind, we provide personalized strategies to help with risk factors for depression and anxiety by providing insights into the Folate Cycle and the SNPs which affect it. But how did we get here?


 Let's face it: genetics can feel like the Wild West. It's brimming with potential, yet often seems confusing and murky. That's where we come in! Gene Gazer has invested years in rigorous research to pinpoint those specific genes with the most significant impact on your well-being and mental health. We're excited to share our knowledge and expertise, empowering you to make the best choices for your health and wellness journey.


  We’re a long running project, started initially as research into the emergent world of the applications of genetics and mental health and continuing through various iterations since 2017. The current analysis program, the website you’re currently visiting, has been about 3 years of work.


  In 2023 Gene Gazer partnered with the team at the AWS Health Equity Initiative, which aims to reduce healthcare disparities and help us leverage the cloud to understand genetic risk factors. This generous grant, together with the monumental advances in large language models in the last year, brought into focus new way of looking at genetic risk factors. Applying existing, commercially-available, and evidence-based recommendations to help personalize your supplements to boost your mood and read your brain’s code!

Want to know more?

Unlock your brain's code and boost your mood.




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