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SelfDecode Review: History, Features & More

Written by Victoria Shelton, MS (Social Work) | Last updated:

What is SelfDecode?

SelfDecode is a biotech company that helps people understand their genetics to achieve their health goals – be it optimizing their health, overcoming a health concern, or preventing diseases and age-related problems to live a longer life.

It lets you identify genetic weaknesses and suggests lifestyle approaches and supplements to improve your negative genetic variations.

SelfDecode has a huge database of SNPs, substances, genes, conditions, and more.

SelfDecode Coupon Code

As a SelfHacked reader, you can get 10% off SelfDecode. This coupon code will always work.

Want to try before you commit to a plan? You can upload your DNA for free to SelfDecode!

Review of SelfDecode History

Joe Cohen, founder of SelfDecode, shared his story about how and why he started SelfDecode:

Joe said he started SelfDecode after struggling with numerous chronic health issues – such as limbic system problems (also called HPA axis dysfunction or adrenal fatigue), brain fog, gut problems, and mental health issues, among others. He says that for years, he didn’t get results by following the advice of other bloggers, medical doctors, or even natural health practitioners. Instead, he started hitting breakthroughs when he dug into the research for himself and committed to experimenting with supplements, diets, and devices.

Joe is homozygous for MTHFR C677T and CNR1 rs1049353. These rendered him especially susceptible to the negative effects of the Standard American Diet and lifestyle.

Joe also had some rare SNP variations in the PPAR-gamma and serotonin receptors genes, which may explain his tendency to be Th1/Th17 dominant. He believes it may also be the reason he experienced mental health issues when eating lectins or did other things that worsened these genes’ functions.

At the time, health bloggers were not writing about these genes and he wasn’t able to meaningfully analyze his data with the available DNA tools.

The health hacks that had the most positive impact for Joe were ones that addressed his genetic variants. While doing the research and experimenting, he gathered information about many useful gene-specific interventions.

Afterward, he started reverse-engineering the same process for my clients to help them overcome their health issues. That’s when he realized that there was a need for a comprehensive DNA analyzer.

The existing DNA analyzers on the market may have provided some information but they were extremely limited. Some of them did not cite the information they provided, which allowed them to make up some of the information and were unable to be validated. Others provided citations, but it was more difficult for Joe to understand their interpretation than reading the studies directly.

Many of them weren’t very helpful because they didn’t come with any recommendations.

Understandably, it is not easy to write about genes, the biochemistry, and risk associations for the lay people to comprehend. Over the years, Joe honed this skill by writing on SelfHacked and training numerous writers, who hold Master’s, Ph.D., MD, and pharmacy degrees.

Beyond the fact that SelfDecode covers over 200 million genetic variants, it also:

  • Thoroughly reviews the scientific literature about genes or lab tests
  • Presents the research in an accessible and helpful manner, both for the laypeople and healthcare providers
  • Is constantly updated with the growing amounts of data that continue to become available with new sequencing technologies, functional genomics, and new research being published every day

SelfDecode is an all-in-one database tool that allows you to explore your genetic associations with your phenotypes (traits), health predispositions, and what you can do about them. If you want all the relevant variants listed in one place, along with an interpretation and recommendations, the DNA Health Reports provide just that.

How Does SelfDecode Work?

In fact, using SelfDecode is so simple. Just follow the listed below steps to get full details about your genes:

  1. Sign in to your account and upload your genetic data from genotyping services such as 23andMe, FamilyTree, and Ancestry, or purchase a SelfDecode DNA Kit directly from us (SelfDecode promises to never sell your data). If you already have your DNA file, you can upload it for free to get started.
  2. Answer our questionnaire and lifestyle assessment and upload your lab results to understand how your environment is affecting your health risks.
  3. Generate and read your DNA Health Reports on the topics that pertain to your health such as inflammation, sleep, mood, and more!
  4. Optimize your health based on the insights you learn about your genes and the recommendations SelfDecode provides.

SelfDecode Features

SelfDecode Blog

SelfDecode believes that the future of health content will be personalized. The SelfDecode blog is the first of its kind–it personalizes posts based on your genetics. They analyze cutting-edge scientific discoveries to explore how your genetic variants are linked to health and various traits.

Once you log in to your SelfDecode account and upload your genotype file, you will be able to access health information specific to you. From each article you read, the smart algorithm will also calculate and automatically display a score and recommendation that applies to you.

SelfDecode DNA Health Reports

SelfDecode DNA Health reports compile all the available genes and variants relevant to a specific topic and give you science-based natural recommendations about how you can overcome your genetic weaknesses.

SelfDecode offers over 650 DNA health and trait reports, each analyzing up to 1M genetic variants. In fact, SelfDecode is the only company utilizing ancestry-informed polygenic risk scoring in the direct-to-consumer market.

Health professionals can sign up for free and start connecting with clients right away.

Lab Analyzer

SelfDecode’s Lab Analyzer tool allows you to easily upload your lab test results and find out if your lab markers are within optimal ranges. The lab analyzer doesn’t just show you what the “normal” range is for a lab marker, it shows you the optimal range and then provides personalized health recommendations to help you optimize your levels.

You can track your lab tests over time and get detailed information about each lab marker and what your personal results mean.

Lifestyle Analyzer

The lifestyle assessments help you identify how much of an impact your lifestyle, environment, and medical history are having on your health risks.

Gene & SNP Explorer

A SelfDecode subscription will give you your genotype results for 200 million SNPs to help you explore your DNA. You can easily navigate your results, create gene packs, and bookmark any genes that you want to check out later in more detail.

For practitioners, you can look at gene packs of interest to your clients.

Smart Recommendations Engine

SelfDecode offers an AI-powered Smart Recommendations Engine to deliver the most precise and personalized health guidance available, which provides prioritized recommendations, listed from most to least effective based on the five key health areas. By clicking on any recommendation, users are able to see how it helps their specific risks and health goals. SelfDecode has a database of over 20,000 recommendations.

Precision Health GPT

SelfDecode also offers users access to the world’s first Precision Health GPT, an AI health coach available 24/7. You simply need to ask a question, and the Precision Health GPT will analyze your DNA, labs, lifestyle, symptoms & conditions, and health goals to provide tailored recommendations and detailed insights into your health.

Carrier Status Reports

For those planning a family or just wanting to understand their genetic health, SelfDecode offers Carrier Status Reports to help you determine if you carry genetic variations associated with specific inherited conditions. These reports allow you to assess potential genetic risks, equipping you with valuable insights that may help guide family planning decisions.

Pharmacogenomics Reports (PGx)

SelfDecode also offers Pharmacogenomics (PGx) Reports, which provide guidance on how your genetic makeup may impact your response to various medications. With these reports, you’ll get insights into how you might metabolize specific drugs, which could be helpful for tailoring treatments in collaboration with your healthcare provider.

Longevity Screener

SelfDecode’s Longevity Screener helps you discover your predispositions for over 130 conditions that may impact lifespan and overall health. It provides insights into how likely you are to develop a medical condition and identifies your highest-risk areas, allowing you to focus on what matters most to support long-term health. With personalized prevention strategies, you’ll gain actionable steps to help reduce risks and potentially increase your longevity.

Ancestry

Discover your heritage with SelfDecode. Get a breakdown of your ancestry composition with percentages, trace your maternal lineage back through the ages, and learn more about the history and culture connected to your DNA with detailed reports.

How Much Does SelfDecode Cost?

SelfDecode operates with a Build Your Health Plan model. You can cancel your membership at any time.

Step 1: Subscribe to SelfDecode ($9.99/month, billed annually) – Subscribe to the Health Insights Membership from SelfDecode to gain access to:

  • Over 650 DNA health & trait reports
  • Precision Health GPT
  • Smart recommendations engine
  • Lab analyzer and tracker
  • Lifestyle risk analyzer
  • Personalized meal plan builder
  • Health scores
  • Precision Health Regimen Builder
  • Genotype results for 200 million SNPs
  • And more!

Step 2: Analyze your DNA

  • Upload your DNA file for $199 (one-time payment)
  • Order a SelfDecode DNA kit for $298 (one-time payment)

Our DNA chip analyzes the most important SNPs related to your health. While you do not have to purchase a SelfDecode DNA kit from us, we recommend you do, because our chip contains all the data you need to analyze and optimize your health. Plus, we don’t sell your data like 23AndMe. There is an additional shipping cost for DNA kits which varies based on your location, but return shipping costs are covered.

Step 3: Choose your add-ons (optional)

  • Longevity Screener + Medical Reports* ($249): The Longevity Screener + Medical Reports bundle is a brand new scientific test that provides you with risk scores for over 130 medical conditions like Alzheimer’s, coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and many more.
  • Pharmacogenomics (PGx) Report* ($99): The PGx report provides personalized insights into how your genes affect your response to 50+ medications. This helps you and your doctor make smarter decisions, improving treatment effectiveness based on your DNA.
  • Carrier Status Report* ($49): Identify your genetic carrier status to understand potential risks and make informed decisions for your family’s future.
  • Medical Health Reports ($99): These reports provide your genetic risk scores for more than 55 serious conditions and diseases.
  • Ancestry DNA reports ($79): Learn more about your ancestors and heritage with a complete ancestry composition breakdown and mitochondrial ancestry reports.

*Only available with SelfDecode DNA Test Kit.

SelfDecode Pro is free for practitioners. Health professionals can refer clients to sign up for a SelfDecode plan and connect with them to view their results at no cost to them and earn a 25% commission on every new customer they refer.

Why a Subscription?

Although you are born with a set of genes that won’t change over time, our knowledge about these genes changes every day as new research comes out. SelfDecode is a fast-evolving startup software company. We are continuously releasing more features, personalized genetic blog posts, and DNA Reports.

A subscription model provides you with uninterrupted access to updated findings about your genes, our new analysis features, and DNA Health Reports. You’ll also be able to maintain access to all our features you can use daily, such as the precision health GPT, smart recommendations engine, meal planner, lab analyzer, and more.

About the Author

Victoria Shelton

MS (Social Work)
Victoria is a social worker turned digital marketer with experience in public speaking, professional writing and project management.
She combines her passion for empowering others to make positive life changes with her love of data analysis to provide strategic marketing expertise that prioritizes the customer and allows for data-driven decision making.

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