The COMT gene plays a crucial role in keeping our brains running smoothly, by regulating key signaling chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine. But variations in this gene also help explain differences in how we think, feel, and behave.
I’ll decode the complex science behind COMT, so you can take charge of optimizing your mental health – whether you’re a genetically-prone “warrior” or “worrier.”
COMT: Neurochemical “Housekeeper”
The COMT gene contains assembly instructions for an enzyme also called COMT. This COMT enzyme acts as a chemical “housekeeper” in the brain, mopping up used neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine1 Chen, J et al. Functional analysis of genetic variation in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT): effects on mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity in postmortem human brain. Am J Hum Genet. 2004;75(5):807-821. doi:10.1086/425589 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15457404.
These chemicals allow brain cells to communicate with each other. Dopamine fine-tunes mood, motivation, and movement. Norepinephrine revs us up and focuses attention.2 Vijayraghavan S, Wang M, Birnbaum SG, Williams GV, Arnsten AFT. Inverted-U dopamine D1 receptor actions on prefrontal neurons engaged in working memory. Nat Neurosci. 2007;10(3):376-384. doi:10.1038/nn1846 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17277774
Too much buildup and brain signaling goes haywire. But too little, and cognition bogs down. The COMT enzyme keeps levels perfectly balanced so these chemicals don’t accumulate and wreak havoc.3 He Q, Xue G, Chen C, et al. COMT val158met polymorphism interacts with stressful life events and parental warmth to influence decision-making. Sci Rep. 2012;2:677. Published 2012 Oct 22. doi:10.1038/srep00677 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3474205/
Warrior vs. Worrier: COMT Gene Variants
However, normal gene variations mean people end up with COMT enzymes that work faster (“warrior” type) or slower (“worrier” type)4 Stein DJ, Newman TK, Savitz J, Ramesar R. Warriors versus worriers: the role of COMT gene variants. CNS Spectr. 2006;11(10):745-748. doi:10.1017/s1092852900014863 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17008817
Warriors make more enzymes, so they have lower dopamine/norepinephrine. This may help them handle stress better, but can also increase risk for schizophrenia and issues with memory/attention5Egan MF, Goldberg TE, Kolachana BS, et al. Effect of COMT Val108/158 Met genotype on frontal lobe function and risk for schizophrenia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001;98(12):6917-6922. doi:10.1073/pnas.111134598 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC34364/
Worriers produce fewer enzymes and end up with more dopamine activity, especially in prefrontal brain areas key for complex thinking and decision-making. So they excel at creativity, problem-solving, and other executive functions. But they’re also more prone to anxiety, depression, or emotional reactivity.6Heinz A, Smolka MN. The effects of catechol O-methyltransferase genotype on brain activation elicited by affective stimuli and cognitive tasks. Rev Neurosci. 2006;17(3):359-367. doi:10.1515/revneuro.2006.17.3.359 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16878403
Optimizing Wellness Based On Your COMT Status
While we can’t rewrite DNA, we CAN support our unique COMT machinery through nutrition and lifestyle upgrades!
Warriors: Tap into memory-boosting nootropic supplements like citicoline or acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR).7 Barnett JH, Scoriels L, Munafò MR. Meta-analysis of the cognitive effects of the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene Val158/108Met polymorphism. Mol Psychiatry. 2008;13(2):137-144. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4002064 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17700544 Maintain balanced blood sugar through diet strategies that stabilize insulin and consider brain training exercises to strengthen mental “muscles.”
Learn More: Best Nootropics for ADHD & Focus
Worriers: Make stress resilience your top priority with adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha or rhodiola. Certain B vitamins and magnesium may help moderate dopamine activity too.8Jiang, Weili et al. Genetic influences on insight problem solving: The role of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphisms. Front. Psychol. 7 (2015): 1569. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4587536 Stay active with exercise for mood-lifting endorphins.
Learn More: Best Nootropics for Mood
ALL Types: An anti-inflammatory diet, better sleep habits, meditation, mindfulness practices, and other lifestyle “biohacks” stimulate neuroplasticity – the brain’s innate ability to create new connections and rewire itself.9Alexander JK, Hillier A, Smith RM, Tivarus ME, Beversdorf DQ. Beta-adrenergic modulation of cognitive flexibility during stress. J Cogn Neurosci. 2007;19(3):468-478. doi:10.1162/jocn.2007.19.3.468 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17335395
Learn More:10 Proven Benefits of Adaptogens
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does the COMT gene do?
The COMT gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called COMT, which acts like a neurochemical “housekeeper” in the brain. It breaks down used signaling molecules such as dopamine and norepinephrine to keep levels balanced.
How do COMT gene variants impact us?
Normal gene variations mean some people make faster “warrior” enzymes while others have slower “worrier” enzymes. Warriors have lower dopamine and handle stress better but may have cognitive issues. Worriers have more dopamine, and excel at executive functions but are moodier.
Can I overhaul my COMT gene status?
No, gene variants are fixed. But we can support our unique COMT machinery through lifestyle strategies like nutrition, stress relief, brain training, exercise, etc.
Should I get genetic testing to determine my COMT status?
Knowing whether you’re genetically a warrior or worrier provides clues to optimizing mental health, cognitive function, and more based on your hardwired strengths and weaknesses. At-home DNA tests like 23andMe will check for key COMT SNPs.
I’m a worrier – how can I boost memory and dial down stress reactivity?
Adaptogenic herbs, magnesium supplements, B vitamins, meditation techniques, and regular exercise can help worriers strengthen resilience. Nootropic supplements like citicoline also aid memory and dopamine function.
I’m a warrior – what’s the best way to enhance attention span and cognition?
Warriors may benefit from glucose control strategies, brain training games/exercises, acetyl-L-carnitine and other nootropics that target concentration. Staying active also energizes the brain.
Is COMT related to any diseases?
The warrior variant very slightly raises schizophrenia risk. Worriers have a higher predisposition for anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviors. Both types play roles in conditions like OCD, PTSD, and Parkinson’s onset/progression.
How early can I start optimizing my COMT gene?
Healthy lifestyle habits supporting proper COMT enzyme function – like a clean diet, good sleep, stress relief practices and cognitive stimulation – are beneficial starting in childhood and continuing throughout the lifespan.
Is there a connection between my COMT gene and ADHD?
Yes, the COMT warrior variant leads to lower dopamine levels, which researchers link to disadvantages in memory, attention, and impulse control – hallmarks of ADHD. However, many factors besides genetics contribute to attention disorders.
What’s the best way to boost focus if I’m a COMT warrior?
Warriors can optimize attention span by controlling blood sugar spikes, engaging in brain training exercises, and taking acetyl-L-carnitine or other nootropics targeting concentration and motivation.
How does COMT status impact anxiety risk?
The worrier version of COMT is tied to higher odds for stress reactivity and anxiety issues. Slow COMT enzyme activity leads to excess dopamine piling up, which researchers connect to higher emotional over-arousal.
What should worriers do to counteract COMT-related anxiety?
Relaxation practices like breathwork, yoga, meditation, and adaptogenic herbs make excellent anti-anxiety strategies for worriers. Getting enough magnesium and B vitamins may also calm overactive dopamine.
Can COMT worriers take anti-anxiety meds if needed?
Yes, those with the COMT high-dopamine genotype may benefit from anxiety medication if holistic options aren’t sufficient. But some worriers also respond well to lifestyle approaches alone by curbing stress overactivation.
Let me know if you need any other COMT-related questions answered!
The Takeaway
Understanding your COMT status provides clues to unlocking your brain’s unique potential! While we can’t change genetic risk factors, we CAN support optimal function through tailored lifestyle medicine strategies.
Let me know if you have any other questions on optimizing that vital COMT machinery we all rely on!
- 1Chen, J et al. Functional analysis of genetic variation in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT): effects on mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity in postmortem human brain. Am J Hum Genet. 2004;75(5):807-821. doi:10.1086/425589 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15457404
- 2Vijayraghavan S, Wang M, Birnbaum SG, Williams GV, Arnsten AFT. Inverted-U dopamine D1 receptor actions on prefrontal neurons engaged in working memory. Nat Neurosci. 2007;10(3):376-384. doi:10.1038/nn1846 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17277774
- 3He Q, Xue G, Chen C, et al. COMT val158met polymorphism interacts with stressful life events and parental warmth to influence decision-making. Sci Rep. 2012;2:677. Published 2012 Oct 22. doi:10.1038/srep00677 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3474205/
- 4Stein DJ, Newman TK, Savitz J, Ramesar R. Warriors versus worriers: the role of COMT gene variants. CNS Spectr. 2006;11(10):745-748. doi:10.1017/s1092852900014863 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17008817
- 5Egan MF, Goldberg TE, Kolachana BS, et al. Effect of COMT Val108/158 Met genotype on frontal lobe function and risk for schizophrenia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001;98(12):6917-6922. doi:10.1073/pnas.111134598 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC34364/
- 6Heinz A, Smolka MN. The effects of catechol O-methyltransferase genotype on brain activation elicited by affective stimuli and cognitive tasks. Rev Neurosci. 2006;17(3):359-367. doi:10.1515/revneuro.2006.17.3.359 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16878403
- 7Barnett JH, Scoriels L, Munafò MR. Meta-analysis of the cognitive effects of the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene Val158/108Met polymorphism. Mol Psychiatry. 2008;13(2):137-144. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4002064 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17700544
- 8Jiang, Weili et al. Genetic influences on insight problem solving: The role of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphisms. Front. Psychol. 7 (2015): 1569. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4587536
- 9Alexander JK, Hillier A, Smith RM, Tivarus ME, Beversdorf DQ. Beta-adrenergic modulation of cognitive flexibility during stress. J Cogn Neurosci. 2007;19(3):468-478. doi:10.1162/jocn.2007.19.3.468 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17335395
