COMT: Warrior or Worrier?

Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) is one of several enzymes that break down dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. COMT breaks down dopamine primarily in the part of the brain responsible for higher cognitive or executive function (the prefrontal cortex).

Met/Met=AA; High dopamine in the prefrontal cortex, means being considered a worrier.

Val/Met=AG; Moderate dopamine in the prefrontal cortex, intermediate.

Val/Val=GG; Low dopamine in the prefrontal cortex, means being considered a warrior.

Are you a worrier? Make things easier for yourself and consider organizing your day into time blocks where you can focus on one task at a time. In addition to increasing your susceptibility to stress and sleep disturbances, those clustered in the low dopamine metabolism range are more prone to anxiety during times of stress.

        Are you a warrior? Be sure to create deadlines for performance pressure. Although they may be more susceptible to central fatigue and reduced motivation, those categorized in the high dopamine metabolism band have a better ability to cope with psychological stress.