Slow COMT is definitely a blessing and a curse. But once you learn more about it, you can use it to your advantage and make changes to prevent the anxious/manic symptoms.
@@cindywhittaker3003eat more fresh plant foods, more fibre, magnesium, zinc, b vitamins, dim lighting, sound insulation when stressed. L theanine, lemon balm. Avoid caffeine. Avoid stress, toxic people, alcohol, smoking.
I just found your channel Dr. Courtney, and I love it! Clear, calmly presented information. Ohhh, how I wish an average psychiatrist was even half as interested and learning as yourself... Thank you for your hard work and sharing your knowledge 💖
Some psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases are a result of deficiencies in choline leading to a deficiency in the neuro transmitter acetylcholine. Most people have a deficiency of choline because of genetic polymorphisms, lack of eating eggs, meat, and liver, lack of estrogen, and other reasons. People need to become aware of how much choline they have.
Choline and folate have an inverse relationship with choline providing a backup to methylation in the absence of enough folate. But the choline pathway is not sustainable. So someone could be experiencing symptoms of a choline deficiency when it’s actually a folate deficiency.
The most calming place to come. I usually listen on Google podcast (Android user). Thank you Lady Courtney! This topic especially interests me because my brother is encountering tinnitus. I'm thinking of overmethylation and how to address it from a diet standpoint. It's not gonna be easy work, smoker, fatty liver, childhood trauma suppressed, and now anxiety and fear, big stress, and tension because of tinnitus. I also assume it's an iron overload, waiting for the full iron panel results. It's remarkable how many things are interconnected deep down under, and I believe it starts with minerals. I look forward to the next episode. it helps me to better understand everyday life. Thank you!
I decided to listen to this episode again, and I also had my genes tested through Strategene from my Ancestry data. According to my report of Ben Lynch's 7 dirty genes, my glutathione pathway is complicated, and my other 6 genes are slow. As you didn't give advice in the video, while discussing the interrelationship between slow COMT & slow MAOA, similarly, what would have been said if you were to make a video of the above 7 genes I mentioned, one which is complicated and the other 6 being slow? Thank you
A slow COMT suggests that dopamine and norepinephrine aren't being metabolized as easily. When under stress and these naturally go up. If don't clear as easily and contribute to symptoms like anxiety and hyperfocus among other symptoms.
Have had overmethylation issues my whole life.. Tested with high copper several times.. was estrogen dominant for years... had issues with histamine intolerance and adrenal fatigue.. several times bottomed out on cortisol for a couple years... Tested nuerotransmitters and had the really low histamine and norepinephrin, with really high dopamine (3mt), normetanephrine, and GABA. Cant tolerate methyl b12 to save my life.. and have issues with anxiety often.. All of this but with fast MTHFR. Is there something else I should be looking at?
Thank you so much for this!! I measured my diet and still not meeting my daily folate intake but I’m nervous about supplementation due to slow Comt and my histamine issues… I know there are no guarantees but do you think I would tolerate folinic acid?l without manic insomnia?
Thank you for your question. Because there are a number of variables that can be at play (for example if undermethylation seems to also be present,) it would hard for me to answer that. Thank you again.
I am overmethylator and slow comt. Understanding this and beginning the correct protocol has helped a lot of my FND symptoms. Except visual snow syndrome, but choline or dmae make my visual snow symptoms incredibly worse with just one dose. Does that mean anything? I’m new to this. Trying to figure it out. I have a Walsh institute doc, but he’s a bit bedazzled too.
Thank you for commenting. I don't have experience with visual snow symptoms, but would suspect there is a relationship with mast cells. I have an article about mast cell activation that may be helpful - www.courtneysnydermd.com/blog/mast-cell-activation-inflammation-in-brain-disorders-how-to-calm-things-down
@@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072 thank you for sharing the link, it’s helpful to understand how nervous system disorders are link to chronic stress and past trauma. Visual snow syndrome is a functional neurological disorder. Same idea as chronic pain, chronic stress, past trauma.
Some antidepressants have resulted in movement disorders, e.g. dystonia and akathisia. How can this info relate to such outcomes please? Brilliant series. Thank you
Interesting question. I'll respond more from a theoretical standpoint, as I'm not prescribing antidepressants at this point and haven't seen this. (I'm not opposed to meds, but it's just not the focus of my work). As you may already know, there are studies that show SSRI's - through increased serotonin - can reduce dopaminergic signaling and elicits basal ganglia dysfunction and thus contribute to movement disorders. I suppose if someone has a slow MAO (because of a polymorphism/variant and other factors slowing the gene, including hormonal) and thus already vulnerable to high serotonin, they may be more vulnerable to such movement related issues. Thank you for your question and very kind comment.
If I understand correctly, you pain has stopped after four years. I'm curious what your thoughts are as to why it stopped. What seemed to help you with this.
COMT & MAOA +/+ on both here: she recommends SAM-E and melatonin, be aware that with these gene mutations you can easily overmethylate (she talks about in her part 1 video) early on in my health journey I tried these types of methyl donors and overmethylated which led to full psychosis, hallucinations, horrific nightmares. The most awful thing that’s ever happened to me. So use with caution. Also she says exercise helps to reduce catechols, and that’s true, but strenuous exercise increases catechols, so keep it chill. Walking, yoga, etc.
Great question. First, regarding the inattention piece - While increased dopamine can contribute to hyperfocus for some, there is a point for others in which increased dopamine becomes excessive dopamine and results in a decrease in attention. Too little or too much of a neurotransmitter activity is problematic. Regarding the hyperactivity piece - High norepinephrine (think adrenaline) from a slow COMT can be a driver of hyperactivity. To this, I would add - there are often other factors at play beyond these snps.
@@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072 So if a person has adhd and slow comt, would stimulants and non stimulants like strattera be bad choices? If that's the case, it doesn't seem like there any medications left to prescribe.
@@RJ-2skies If the low COMT is the dominant issue (and the variant is actually being expressed), then stimulant medications may not be beneficial or could worsen symptoms, but there can be other factors and other variants at play, so I wouldn't rule out the possibility that they could be beneficial. If someone is also undermethylated, they may have lower dopamine activity and this could the dominant issue. If someone has high copper, they could have low dopamine. Great question. Thank you.
@@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072 Thank you so much for your reply! What are your thoughts on norepinephrine? If norepinephrine is high due to slow comt, would a non stimulant like strattera make the fight or flight response worse?
Thank you. I am so confused thouht, I seem to have slow COMT variant so I should be a super performer but in reality I procrastinate and cant get myself to get to work. Also I cant focus on a task. I know its a complex issue, but might SAMe be helpfull to me?
I wouldn't be able to answer that and yes, you are correct - it is complex. There are a lot of variables and snps that can be at play, which is why looking at symptoms is so important (and not just snps). That being said, excessive catecholamines, including dopamine can lead to problems with concentration as is nicely described by Dr. Andrew Rostenberg here - www.redmountainclinic.com/treating-comt-and-mao-how-comt-influences-the-brain/
Is it possible that this is why antidepressants give me more anxiety and benzos don't calm me down? In addition, doctors medicate anxiety with antidepressants, as if anxiety were the same as depression.
Really good point..... Low serotonin activity can cause a type of anxiety (and depression) and can benefit from SSRI's/Serotonin reuptake inhibitors - meds often used for depression. But there is also what I would consider high anxiety, and this can be due to increased dopamine and norepinephrine (but it can also be due to other things like high copper, overmethylation, candida or mold toxicity). Some people can have low serotonin or even low serotonin and high dopamine and norephephrine (as with undermethylation and a slow COMT) and and may see some benefit from SSRI's. If however, someone has a slow MAOA, then yes, there could be high serotonin activity already and further increasing serotonin could worsen symptoms. Benzo's impact GABA activity, which is not directly at play with these variants. There can be other factors as well. It's rarely just the variants. Thank you for commenting.
For the antidepressants part, serotonin is liked to fear response so raising serotonin with these is likely the reason, they effect a number of things tho not just serotonin. (Modern papers are showing people with depression don't commonly have low serotonin as often stated, maybe even the opposite) MAO-a inhibition in mammal studies with serotonin increasing has shown to cause increased aggression. That probably also is more towards the fear dimension , lashing out on defense
@@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072 This makes sense since illicit drugs like psychedelics often leads to dilated pupils and anxiousness because they increase serotonin levels far above normal levels.
Symptoms would be especially important to determine if either are being express or rather which may be expressed more, since we really never know if snps are being expressed or not. They have to be considered in the context of symptoms. To see symptoms of high and low catecholamines, you might look at the bell curve with symptoms listed on website (scroll down to see the image) www.beyondmthfr.com/treating-comt-and-mao-how-comt-influences-the-brain/
@@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072thank you so much for answering . I have so many symptoms I’ve gone down the rabbit hole . I am more concerned about the autoimmune like symptoms such as Raynauds , POTS, tachycardia , numbness in lower extremities , cardiac issues…. BUT I struggle most with low Dopamine issues (ADHD, mood, social issues etc because those effect my day to day livelihood ) Thanks again for all your work and helping us find relief …
I also have the VDR TAQ1 (combined with COMT -/- ) research says it is shown to have the lowest levels of dopamine. My Psychiatrist is going to order a pharmacogenomic panel . I will use this in conjunction. If they are unable to help me find relief , I will be back for coaching 🙏🏾
Great question. If you are having symptoms, you could consider if they are suggestive of high or low catecholamines. Just having variants doesn't mean that they are being expressed. It's possible that neither are being expressed, but again, your symptoms would be the best way to assess if either is having a bigger impact or even if they are mostly canceling each other out (as far as the catecholamines). MAOA is also involved with histamine metabolism, so that may be another way to see if it could be at play.
Dear Courtney, could you, please, explain a bit more why cheese 🧀 is not exactly the best food? All types of cheese? I'm from Europe and really like cheese. It makes me calm... perhaps because of the morphine component..!? Thank you in advance.
I'm glad to......Cheese has particular amino acids that are converted into dopamine. These amino acids separately can trigger the release of catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine). And, yes....you make a good point. There can be other factors at play.
@@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072 I'm so grateful, Courtney, for the explanation! I didn't expect this quick reply! I'll study the cheese issue more in depth! Thank you again! Keep up the good work 👍 We appreciate!
![ร้อยพ่อพันแม่ - WanMai [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XY2pNYASEbg/mqdefault.jpg)
Slow COMT is definitely a blessing and a curse. But once you learn more about it, you can use it to your advantage and make changes to prevent the anxious/manic symptoms.
I have this! What do
We do????
@@cindywhittaker3003you hide in a closet.
@@cindywhittaker3003eat more fresh plant foods, more fibre, magnesium, zinc, b vitamins, dim lighting, sound insulation when stressed. L theanine, lemon balm. Avoid caffeine. Avoid stress, toxic people, alcohol, smoking.
@@123ChrisG I have finally realized alcohol is not good for me . After all these years. I can’t tolerate it anymore.
@@cindywhittaker3003 well done. 8 years myself not a drop of alcohol. Much better off without it. 🙌
Brilliant, so informative, and so relaxing, I bet my dopamine levels have dropped just listening to the good doctor's voice.
You are very kind....that made me smile.
I just found your channel Dr. Courtney, and I love it! Clear, calmly presented information. Ohhh, how I wish an average psychiatrist was even half as interested and learning as yourself... Thank you for your hard work and sharing your knowledge 💖
Thank you. I appreciate that. Glad you like the channel.
This is incredible information. Thank you 🙏 Shared 👍🏼
Thank you.
Some psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases are a result of deficiencies in choline leading to a deficiency in the neuro transmitter acetylcholine. Most people have a deficiency of choline because of genetic polymorphisms, lack of eating eggs, meat, and liver, lack of estrogen, and other reasons. People need to become aware of how much choline they have.
Choline and folate have an inverse relationship with choline providing a backup to methylation in the absence of enough folate. But the choline pathway is not sustainable. So someone could be experiencing symptoms of a choline deficiency when it’s actually a folate deficiency.
The most calming place to come. I usually listen on Google podcast (Android user).
Thank you Lady Courtney!
This topic especially interests me because my brother is encountering tinnitus. I'm thinking of overmethylation and how to address it from a diet standpoint. It's not gonna be easy work, smoker, fatty liver, childhood trauma suppressed, and now anxiety and fear, big stress, and tension because of tinnitus. I also assume it's an iron overload, waiting for the full iron panel results. It's remarkable how many things are interconnected deep down under, and I believe it starts with minerals.
I look forward to the next episode. it helps me to better understand everyday life. Thank you!
Thank you, Jana, for such a kind comment.
I recently found your channel, and I appreciate the information very much.
Thank you, James, for letting me know.
I decided to listen to this episode again, and I also had my genes tested through Strategene from my Ancestry data. According to my report of Ben Lynch's 7 dirty genes, my glutathione pathway is complicated, and my other 6 genes are slow. As you didn't give advice in the video, while discussing the interrelationship between slow COMT & slow MAOA, similarly, what would have been said if you were to make a video of the above 7 genes I mentioned, one which is complicated and the other 6 being slow?
Thank you
Okay I am SLOW COMT 😢I’m so clueless. It does however explain my constant anxiety and worrying.
A slow COMT suggests that dopamine and norepinephrine aren't being metabolized as easily. When under stress and these naturally go up. If don't clear as easily and contribute to symptoms like anxiety and hyperfocus among other symptoms.
@@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072 I just realized on my stratagene report I am also Fast MAO.
II did the stratagene report and apparently I’m intermediate COMT and I have Fast MAOA.
Have had overmethylation issues my whole life.. Tested with high copper several times.. was estrogen dominant for years... had issues with histamine intolerance and adrenal fatigue.. several times bottomed out on cortisol for a couple years... Tested nuerotransmitters and had the really low histamine and norepinephrin, with really high dopamine (3mt), normetanephrine, and GABA. Cant tolerate methyl b12 to save my life.. and have issues with anxiety often.. All of this but with fast MTHFR. Is there something else I should be looking at?
Thank you, Dr. Snyder!
Thank you so much for this!! I measured my diet and still not meeting my daily folate intake but I’m nervous about supplementation due to slow Comt and my histamine issues…
I know there are no guarantees but do you think I would tolerate folinic acid?l without manic insomnia?
Thank you for your question. Because there are a number of variables that can be at play (for example if undermethylation seems to also be present,) it would hard for me to answer that. Thank you again.
I am overmethylator and slow comt. Understanding this and beginning the correct protocol has helped a lot of my FND symptoms. Except visual snow syndrome, but choline or dmae make my visual snow symptoms incredibly worse with just one dose. Does that mean anything?
I’m new to this. Trying to figure it out. I have a Walsh institute doc, but he’s a bit bedazzled too.
Thank you for commenting. I don't have experience with visual snow symptoms, but would suspect there is a relationship with mast cells. I have an article about mast cell activation that may be helpful - www.courtneysnydermd.com/blog/mast-cell-activation-inflammation-in-brain-disorders-how-to-calm-things-down
@@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072 thank you for sharing the link, it’s helpful to understand how nervous system disorders are link to chronic stress and past trauma.
Visual snow syndrome is a functional neurological disorder. Same idea as chronic pain, chronic stress, past trauma.
Some antidepressants have resulted in movement disorders, e.g. dystonia and akathisia. How can this info relate to such outcomes please? Brilliant series. Thank you
Interesting question. I'll respond more from a theoretical standpoint, as I'm not prescribing antidepressants at this point and haven't seen this. (I'm not opposed to meds, but it's just not the focus of my work). As you may already know, there are studies that show SSRI's - through increased serotonin - can reduce dopaminergic signaling and elicits basal ganglia dysfunction and thus contribute to movement disorders. I suppose if someone has a slow MAO (because of a polymorphism/variant and other factors slowing the gene, including hormonal) and thus already vulnerable to high serotonin, they may be more vulnerable to such movement related issues. Thank you for your question and very kind comment.
Intj- personality description..😅🎉
I have suffered in the past anxiety and depresson long time but I have pain all over my body 4 years until now
If I understand correctly, you pain has stopped after four years. I'm curious what your thoughts are as to why it stopped. What seemed to help you with this.
Ty
Thank you so much !
Thank you for commenting!
Hi Courtney
What’s the sites you recommend for processing raw data from 23andMe?
Warm regards
Hi. I usually use Genetic Genie and MTHFRsupport (Sterling app).
COMT & MAOA +/+ on both here: she recommends SAM-E and melatonin, be aware that with these gene mutations you can easily overmethylate (she talks about in her part 1 video) early on in my health journey I tried these types of methyl donors and overmethylated which led to full psychosis, hallucinations, horrific nightmares. The most awful thing that’s ever happened to me. So use with caution.
Also she says exercise helps to reduce catechols, and that’s true, but strenuous exercise increases catechols, so keep it chill. Walking, yoga, etc.
Thank you for adding these. We would certainty avoid SAMe in someone who is overmethylated. I agree too with your point about exercise.
I have the same issue with slow COMT and MAOA and overmethlyate easily. How do you get around when taking b2 to help speed up MAOA?
what if you have ADHD and slow COMT?
Great question. First, regarding the inattention piece - While increased dopamine can contribute to hyperfocus for some, there is a point for others in which increased dopamine becomes excessive dopamine and results in a decrease in attention. Too little or too much of a neurotransmitter activity is problematic. Regarding the hyperactivity piece - High norepinephrine (think adrenaline) from a slow COMT can be a driver of hyperactivity. To this, I would add - there are often other factors at play beyond these snps.
@@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072 So if a person has adhd and slow comt, would stimulants and non stimulants like strattera be bad choices? If that's the case, it doesn't seem like there any medications left to prescribe.
@@RJ-2skies If the low COMT is the dominant issue (and the variant is actually being expressed), then stimulant medications may not be beneficial or could worsen symptoms, but there can be other factors and other variants at play, so I wouldn't rule out the possibility that they could be beneficial. If someone is also undermethylated, they may have lower dopamine activity and this could the dominant issue. If someone has high copper, they could have low dopamine. Great question. Thank you.
@@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072 Thank you so much for your reply! What are your thoughts on norepinephrine? If norepinephrine is high due to slow comt, would a non stimulant like strattera make the fight or flight response worse?
Thank you. I am so confused thouht, I seem to have slow COMT variant so I should be a super performer but in reality I procrastinate and cant get myself to get to work. Also I cant focus on a task. I know its a complex issue, but might SAMe be helpfull to me?
I wouldn't be able to answer that and yes, you are correct - it is complex. There are a lot of variables and snps that can be at play, which is why looking at symptoms is so important (and not just snps). That being said, excessive catecholamines, including dopamine can lead to problems with concentration as is nicely described by Dr. Andrew Rostenberg here - www.redmountainclinic.com/treating-comt-and-mao-how-comt-influences-the-brain/
@@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072 thank you so much for the asnwer! :)
Is it possible that this is why antidepressants give me more anxiety and benzos don't calm me down? In addition, doctors medicate anxiety with antidepressants, as if anxiety were the same as depression.
Really good point..... Low serotonin activity can cause a type of anxiety (and depression) and can benefit from SSRI's/Serotonin reuptake inhibitors - meds often used for depression. But there is also what I would consider high anxiety, and this can be due to increased dopamine and norepinephrine (but it can also be due to other things like high copper, overmethylation, candida or mold toxicity). Some people can have low serotonin or even low serotonin and high dopamine and norephephrine (as with undermethylation and a slow COMT) and and may see some benefit from SSRI's. If however, someone has a slow MAOA, then yes, there could be high serotonin activity already and further increasing serotonin could worsen symptoms. Benzo's impact GABA activity, which is not directly at play with these variants. There can be other factors as well. It's rarely just the variants. Thank you for commenting.
For the antidepressants part, serotonin is liked to fear response so raising serotonin with these is likely the reason, they effect a number of things tho not just serotonin.
(Modern papers are showing people with depression don't commonly have low serotonin as often stated, maybe even the opposite)
MAO-a inhibition in mammal studies with serotonin increasing has shown to cause increased aggression. That probably also is more towards the fear dimension , lashing out on defense
what about too much serotonin?
Too much serotonin can cause nervousness, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, tremor, and dilated pupils.
@@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072 This makes sense since illicit drugs like psychedelics often leads to dilated pupils and anxiousness because they increase serotonin levels far above normal levels.
What is you have fast COMT and slow MOAO?
Symptoms would be especially important to determine if either are being express or rather which may be expressed more, since we really never know if snps are being expressed or not. They have to be considered in the context of symptoms. To see symptoms of high and low catecholamines, you might look at the bell curve with symptoms listed on website (scroll down to see the image) www.beyondmthfr.com/treating-comt-and-mao-how-comt-influences-the-brain/
@@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072thank you so much for answering . I have so many symptoms I’ve gone down the rabbit hole . I am more concerned about the autoimmune like symptoms such as Raynauds , POTS, tachycardia , numbness in lower extremities , cardiac issues…. BUT I struggle most with low Dopamine issues (ADHD, mood, social issues etc because those effect my day to day livelihood )
Thanks again for all your work and helping us find relief …
I also have the VDR TAQ1 (combined with COMT -/- ) research says it is shown to have the lowest levels of dopamine.
My Psychiatrist is going to order a pharmacogenomic panel . I will use this in conjunction. If they are unable to help me find relief , I will be back for coaching 🙏🏾
My maoa is slow and my comt is fast 😂 what to do with that ?
I have got my genetic test
Great question. If you are having symptoms, you could consider if they are suggestive of high or low catecholamines. Just having variants doesn't mean that they are being expressed. It's possible that neither are being expressed, but again, your symptoms would be the best way to assess if either is having a bigger impact or even if they are mostly canceling each other out (as far as the catecholamines). MAOA is also involved with histamine metabolism, so that may be another way to see if it could be at play.
Dear Courtney, could you, please, explain a bit more why cheese 🧀 is not exactly the best food? All types of cheese? I'm from Europe and really like cheese. It makes me calm... perhaps because of the morphine component..!? Thank you in advance.
I'm glad to......Cheese has particular amino acids that are converted into dopamine. These amino acids separately can trigger the release of catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine). And, yes....you make a good point. There can be other factors at play.
@@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072 I'm so grateful, Courtney, for the explanation! I didn't expect this quick reply! I'll study the cheese issue more in depth! Thank you again! Keep up the good work 👍 We appreciate!