Are “Moods” inherited?

01/03/2009 by Feet on the Ground.

Research findings recently published in the “Proceedings of the Royal Society” seem to show that there are differences in certain genes between people who dwell on the positive attitudes of seeing life as ‘half-full’ and those who are drawn towards ‘half-empty’ responses.

So being optimistic may not simply be a result of will-power or of childhood experiences.

Could it be that they are  also  influenced by a genetic disposition to optimism or pessimism? And if so how could this happen?

It is easy to think of ‘moods’ as if they are just imprecise non-physical ‘feelings’ or ‘emotions’ but of course we know that they are accompanied by or caused by chemical changes in the brain.

An example is that vigorous exercise produces endorphins, the body’s own painkillers and mood-enhancers. The endorphins change the brain’s chemistry and change mood. Going to the Gym really can cheer you up, it’s a chemical fact!

The mechanism by which this happens is still being investigated but one possibility is that the genes could be affecting the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin affects moods including anger and aggression so higher levels of serotonin would mean better moods.

Another possibility is that a certain area of the brain called the amygdala is seen to be more active in people with the ‘negativity’ genes and this may make such people more inclined to be neurotic worriers with bouts of anxiety.

Nevertheless, we all have the option of choosing to try and alter our habits and patterns of thinking and responding to situations.

It may not be easy but anyone who, like many of us, tends to see the negative side of life must not take the easy way out of saying it is all predestined in our genes and that there is nothing we can do about it. Positive thinking works.

Posted in Psychology, Health | No Comments »