DRD2 and How Your Brain Works

Behavioral genetics is a fascinating subject…the idea that your genes influence your behavior and motivations is quite compelling.

One of the most interesting behavioral genes is the DRD2 gene—also known as the addict gene.

It determines whether or not you find contentment in the smaller things, or if you have an insatiable desire for more.

Dopamine and the DRD2 Gene

From the moment you plan to do something pleasurable or satisfying, to the moment you stop, your brain releases dopamine molecules.

When they’re released they travel around your brain, binding to dopamine receptors.

The moment they bind to the receptor is the moment you feel anticipation (before you do the thing) or reward (during and after you do the thing).

How much you feel anticipation or reward is controlled by the DRD2 gene.

This gene determines how many dopamine receptors you have in your brain, which determines how intensely you feel dopamine.

You can either have:

• A lot (GG version)

• Normal amount (AG version)

• Very little (AA version)

This means for the same task, people with different versions of DRD2 experience vastly different levels of anticipation and reward.

Let’s break it down.

AG - The Middle

With AG, you’re right in the middle. You have a regular amount of dopamine receptors and experience anticipation normally.

People with AG are balanced and not prone to addiction. They don’t get overly satisfied or overwhelmed.

Where it gets interesting are the extremes…

GG - The “Binger”

With this version, you have an abundance of dopamine receptors in your brain, making you very sensitive to it.

You tend to feel anticipation and reward very easily. With things that you enjoy, this feeling can be intense and overwhelming.

People with this version tend to binge activities they enjoy.

In the right environment, you can set and achieve goals with ease if you thoroughly enjoy them.

In the wrong environment, you may get obsessed with vices and could have difficulty avoiding them.

AA - The “Addict”

With AA, you have a very low amount of dopamine receptors in your brain (fun fact: this is the version that I have).

This means that you barely feel anticipation and reward, and are constantly deprived of it. You may tend to push the boundaries of risk or pleasure seeking.

In the wrong environment, deprivation of reward and a high-risk tolerance can lead to addictive and destructive behavior.

However, this version creates many successful businesspeople. In the right environment, you can engage in healthy risks and chase goals that satisfy them with an intensity that others lack.

With your “brain genes”, there’s no good or bad. What makes or breaks you is what you do about it.

Before I understood the genes of my brain, I would either be a workaholic or depressed. There was no in-between.

Now that I understand how my brain is wired, I’ve designed an environment where I feel good, enjoy the work I am doing, and can enjoy the fruits of my labor.

If you’d like to understand how your brain works—everything from how much you overthink things, to how easily you get distracted…

So that you can design a life where your natural tendencies work for, not against you…

Click the button below and watch the video on the next page.

Until next time,

Kashif Khan

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information on this site is provided for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical advice from your physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease or prescribing any medication. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your regular healthcare provider.