Yahoo Lifestyle 'Happiness Gene’ Discovered
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The 5-HTT gene regulates the transport of serotonin (“the happiness drug”) in the brain, according to research published in the Journal of Human Genetics. People with the functional variant of the 5-HTT gene tend to lead happier lives.
As a person inherits the gene from both parents, there are three variations--long-long, long-short or short-short. The long-long version is the most efficient.
In the study, over 2,500 participants were asked the question "How satisfied are you with your life as a whole?" with five possible answers; very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, very dissatisfied or neither.
Respondents' answers were compared to their version of the 5-HTT gene found in their DNA.
Nearly 70% of those with the long-long version were very satisfied or satisfied, compared to only 40% of those with the short-short version. And having at least one long variant (long-long or long-short) resulted in an increase of 8.5% in the chances of the person being satisfied compared to those with the short-short version.
26% of those with the short-short version were dissatisfied, contrasting with only 20% who have the long-long version.
Commenting on the results, which are published in the Journal of Human Genetics, study leader Jan-Emmanuel De Neve said: "It has long been suspected that this gene plays a role in mental health but this is the first study to show that it is instrumental in shaping our individual happiness levels."
He cautioned that the 5-HTT gene is not the only reason for happiness levels.
"The results of our study suggest a strong link between happiness and this functional variation in the 5-HTT gene. Of course, our well-being isn't determined by this one gene - other genes and especially experience throughout the course of life will continue to explain the majority of variation in individual happiness," Dr De Neve said.
"This finding helps to explain why we each have a unique baseline level of happiness and why some people tend to be naturally happier than others, and that's in no small part due to our individual genetic make-up.”
