Ever wonder why some people thrive on caffeine while others feel jittery after half a cup? Or why some handle stress like a Zen monk while others spiral into anxiety after a minor inconvenience?

It’s not just lifestyle. It’s your genes.

I talk a lot on Instagram about COMT, MTHFR, MAO-A, and other key genes, but there are still a lot of people who don’t fully grasp how genetics impact how we feel, function, and even process nutrients.

Today, I’m breaking it down in a way that finally makes sense.

By the end of this email, you’ll know:
✔ Which genes impact your mood, energy, stress, and metabolism​
✔ Why some people burn out faster while others push through effortlessly​
✔ How you can test your own genes (easily and affordably)

Let’s get into it.

Your Genes Are Like Your Body’s Operating System

Most people think of genetics as fixed destiny—either you won the lottery, or you didn’t.

The reality? Your genes are like an operating system, and your diet, lifestyle, and environment act as the software updates.

If you have the right knowledge, you can "hack" your system to work better—even if you were handed some less-than-perfect genetic variants.

But if you don’t? You could be fighting against your own biology without even realizing it.

Let’s look at three of the most important genes that impact mood, stress, and overall function—plus a few others that play a big role behind the scenes.

3 Methylation-Related Genes That Run Your Brain and Body

1️⃣ COMT: The Stress & Focus Gene

Ever wonder why some people stay cool under pressure, while others feel like their brain is on fire just answering emails?

That’s COMT (Catechol-O-Methyltransferase) at work.

What it does:

• Regulates dopamine, norepinephrine, and estrogen metabolism
• Affects focus, mood, and stress response

The Variants:​
🟢 Fast COMT: Breaks down dopamine quickly (good for stress, bad for focus)
🔴 Slow COMT: Holds onto dopamine too long (good for deep thinking, bad for stress)

How it shows up in real life:

• Fast COMT? You’re chill under pressure but may struggle with motivation.
• Slow COMT? You’re detail-oriented but may overthink and get stressed easily.

🛠 What to do:

• Fast COMT? Support dopamine with protein, tyrosine, and cold exposure.
• Slow COMT? Support stress clearance with magnesium, B vitamins, and exercise.

2️⃣ MTHFR: The Detox & Energy Gene

If you’ve ever felt foggy, fatigued, or emotionally drained for no clear reason, MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase) could be part of the equation.

What it does:

• Converts folic acid into methylfolate, the active form of folate
• Supports detoxification, neurotransmitter production, and cardiovascular health

The Variants:​
🟢 Normal MTHFR: Processes folate efficiently
🔴 MTHFR Mutation (C677T or A1298C): Reduces methylation efficiency

How it shows up in real life:

• Low energy, brain fog, anxiety, or mood swings
• Higher sensitivity to alcohol, caffeine, and environmental toxins
• Increased risk of B vitamin deficiencies

🛠 What to do:

• Avoid synthetic folic acid (found in processed foods & many cheap vitamins).
• Support methylation with methylfolate, B12 (methylcobalamin), and choline.

3️⃣ MAO-A: The Mood & Motivation Gene

Some people bounce back from stress easily, while others feel like a single negative comment ruins their entire day.

That’s MAO-A (Monoamine Oxidase A) at work.

What it does:

• Breaks down dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine
• Affects mood, resilience, and emotional regulation

The Variants:​
🟢 Fast MAO-A: Clears serotonin & dopamine quickly (good for resilience, bad for motivation)
🔴 Slow MAO-A: Holds onto serotonin & dopamine longer (good for creativity, bad for anxiety)

How it shows up in real life:

• Fast MAO-A? You might struggle with motivation or low mood.
• Slow MAO-A? You might be highly sensitive, emotionally intense, or prone to anxiety.

🛠 What to do:

• Fast MAO-A? Support dopamine with protein, omega-3s, and saffron.
• Slow MAO-A? Support serotonin clearance with magnesium, rhodiola, and cold exposure.

Other Key Genes You Should Know About

In addition to COMT, MTHFR, and MAO-A, here are a few other genes that play a big role in how you feel and function:

🧬 CBS – Helps detoxify ammonia and sulfur. Variants can lead to high ammonia levels, fatigue, and brain fog.

🧬 NOS3 – Supports nitric oxide production for blood flow and cardiovascular health. Variants may contribute to poor circulation or high blood pressure.

🧬 VDR – Regulates vitamin D absorption and immune function. Some variants reduce vitamin D activation, leading to deficiency even with supplementation.

🧬 BHMT & AHCY – Work alongside MTHFR in methylation and detox pathways. Variants may cause higher homocysteine levels, increasing inflammation and cardiovascular risk.

How to Test Your Genes (Easily & Affordably)

Most people have no idea what their genetic profile looks like.

Which means they’re guessing when it comes to their nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle.

The easiest way to find out? Get tested.

💡 I recommend LifeDNA because it’s affordable and easy to understand.​
💡 It covers all 12 key genes, including COMT, MTHFR, MAO-A, and more.

👉 Check out the LifeDNA Test​

You’ll get:
✅ A full report on your genetic variants​
✅ Actionable recommendations based on your results​
✅ Insights into mood, energy, focus, detox, and more

And trust me—understanding your genes will change the way you approach health forever.

Your Genes Aren’t Your Destiny—But They’re a Darn Good Roadmap

When you understand how your COMT, MTHFR, MAO-A, and other key genes impact your body, you can stop guessing and start making smarter decisions.

It’s like unlocking the manual to how your body actually works.

So if you’ve ever felt off, but couldn’t quite figure out why, your genes might be the missing puzzle piece.

Check it out, get your results, and start working with your genes instead of against them.

👉 Check out the LifeDNA Test​

I'm sure this didn't answer every question you might have about your genes and health, so reply back with questions I didn't answer and I'll cover them in a future newsletter.

In faith, fitness, and fortitude, Tom Nikkola, CSCS

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