Slow COMT & MAOA: When Your Body Can't Break Down Neurotransmitters Fast Enough
Courtney Snyder, MD - Holistic Psychiatrist
18,407 views
This is part two of a series on having too much neurotransmitter activity — this time looking at COMT and MAOA, two common genetic variants that slow the breakdown of dopamine, adrenaline and norepinephrine. I explain what these genes do, why they can make you brilliantly focused under calm conditions but highly reactive under stress, and what you can do to support your system. I also cover the important connection between COMT and estrogen, which is particularly relevant for women experiencing anxiety, mood swings or hormonal symptoms.
0:00 Introduction and recap of Part 1
1:00 How COMT and MAOA work: breaking down neurotransmitters
2:39 COMT variants: slow vs. fast
4:43 How undermethylation affects COMT function
7:45 Strengths and vulnerabilities of COMT and MAOA
9:32 COMT and estrogen dominance in women
11:14 MAOA: a second gene coding for an enzyme involved in the metabolism of neurotransmitters
12:22 Treatment: what actually helps
To learn more visit:
CourtneySnyderMD.com
Medical Disclaimer:
This episode is for educational purposes and not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for either yourself or others, including but not limited to patients that you are treating (if you are a practitioner). Consult your physician for any medical issues that you may be having.
20 Comments
After 37 years i heard about it and now for 6 months i can finally control it.
What I missed (for slow COMT) was histamine, which is also related and very important to address in dietary changes (although the dietary changes you mentioned for slow MAOA redirects not only tyramine, but also histamine, as it’s often found in the same food).
Also she says exercise helps to reduce catechols, and that’s true, but strenuous exercise increases catechols, so keep it chill. Walking, yoga, etc.
Slow COMT & MAOA: When Your Body Can't Break Down Neurotransmitters Fast Enough
Courtney Snyder, MD - Holistic Psychiatrist
18,407 views
This is part two of a series on having too much neurotransmitter activity — this time looking at COMT and MAOA, two common genetic variants that slow the breakdown of dopamine, adrenaline and norepinephrine. I explain what these genes do, why they can make you brilliantly focused under calm conditions but highly reactive under stress, and what you can do to support your system. I also cover the important connection between COMT and estrogen, which is particularly relevant for women experiencing anxiety, mood swings or hormonal symptoms.
0:00 Introduction and recap of Part 1
1:00 How COMT and MAOA work: breaking down neurotransmitters
2:39 COMT variants: slow vs. fast
4:43 How undermethylation affects COMT function
7:45 Strengths and vulnerabilities of COMT and MAOA
9:32 COMT and estrogen dominance in women
11:14 MAOA: a second gene coding for an enzyme involved in the metabolism of neurotransmitters
12:22 Treatment: what actually helps
To learn more visit:
CourtneySnyderMD.com
Medical Disclaimer:
This episode is for educational purposes and not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for either yourself or others, including but not limited to patients that you are treating (if you are a practitioner). Consult your physician for any medical issues that you may be having.