Friday, March 27, 2009

MOOD GENE


People pay less attention to negative things going on around them and focus instead on the happier aspects of life if they posses a particular gene. By doing so, they end up being more sociable and are generally in better shape psychologically. The gene seems to underlie some people’s ability to deal with daily stresses. Those without it are likely to have a gloomier outlook on life and suffer more from mental health problems such as depression. The tendency to ignore negative images and dwell on positive ones is linked to a variation in a gene that controls serotonin, the brain’s main feel-good chemical. Each of us, inherit two versions of the gene, two short ones, two long ones or one of each. People who had two long versions were most likely to focus on the positives. The gene might dampen down activity in part of the brain called the amygdale, which plays a leading role in regulating our emotions. People with two short versions of the gene show more activity in that part of the brain and are more likely to be neurotic and anxious.

No comments: