0

Pain, dopamine & DRD2: How genetics influence pain

Written by Joe Cohen, BS | Last updated:
Chronic pain

People often tell you “pain is normal as you get older,” but why should we accept that as fact?

Why can’t feeling healthy, energetic, and pain-free be normal (even as you get older)? Why do Icy Hot patches have to be a common household item?

It’s crazy to think that 20% of Americans suffer from long term pain, and they just accept it as part of their daily lives. Not anymore.

Pain is heavily influenced by our genetics. By understanding the genetic variants causing us pain, we can easily stop the problem right at its source.

Chronic Pain

A lot of chronic pain actually stems from your brain chemistry, and the DRD2 gene can especially play a role.

The DRD2 gene encodes a dopamine receptor that affects how and whether we feel pain. For people who carry a certain DRD2 variant, magnesium has been shown to increase dopamine activity in the brain, counteracting this gene’s negative effects.

Shoulder & Neck Pain

Poor posture which leads to shoulder & neck discomfort is increasingly common. After all, your neck and shoulders are carrying around the equivalent of about 40 bananas in the form of your head all day.

What most people don’t know is that poor posture is only one factor in this kind of pain. Up to 68% of people’s differences in having shoulder and neck pain may be attributed to genetics.

One NOS3 gene variant can play a role by impairing blood flow through the neck. Studies have shown that certain lifestyle changes may help people with this gene.

Kidney Health

Kidney pain is felt in the sides or back, and people often mistake it for back pain. The CDC estimates 15% of Americans have chronic kidney disease, and most don’t know anything is even wrong.

The SCNN1A gene controls how much salt is absorbed in the kidney. In some SCNN1A gene variants, increased salt intake is linked to increased blood pressure which can damage the kidneys. That’s why if you have this genetic variant, it’s best to limit salt intake.

Gallstones

The sudden gnawing pain caused by gallstones is something that you should never have to experience. Most people who end up with them have somewhere between 2 – 20 stones, but according to Guinness World Records, one person back in 1987 had 23,530 gallstones!

I wouldn’t be surprised if that guy had a certain variant of the CYP17A1 gene that can put you at an increased risk of developing gallstones, particularly if you are overweight. Fiber supplementation can be super important if you have this genetic variant.

If pain isn’t an issue for you, we have 18 reports (anxiety, mood, and stress to name a few)…

PLUS, we’re adding a new DNA Wellness Report every single week!

About the Author

Joe Cohen, BS

Joe Cohen, BS

Joe Cohen flipped the script on conventional and alternative medicine…and it worked. Growing up, he suffered from inflammation, brain fog, fatigue, digestive problems, insomnia, anxiety, and other issues that were poorly understood in traditional healthcare. Frustrated by the lack of good information and tools, Joe decided to embark on a learning journey to decode his DNA and track his biomarkers in search of better health. Through this personalized approach, he discovered his genetic weaknesses and was able to optimize his health 10X better than he ever thought was possible. Based on his own health success, he went on to found SelfDecode, the world’s first direct-to-consumer DNA analyzer & precision health tool that utilizes AI-driven polygenic risk scoring to produce accurate insights and health recommendations. Today, SelfDecode has helped over 100,000 people understand how to get healthier using their DNA and labs.
Joe is a thriving entrepreneur, with a mission of empowering people to take advantage of the precision health revolution and uncover insights from their DNA and biomarkers so that we can all feel great all of the time.

RATE THIS ARTICLE

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
(1 votes, average: 1.00 out of 5)
Loading...

FDA Compliance

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles View All

caret-downclock-grayclosecomment-bubbledown-anglefacebook-squarehamburgerinstagram-squarelinkedin-squareminuspauseplayplustwitter-squareup-angle