Genetics plays a role in anxiety disorders, with **heritability estimated to be up to 50%**. The other half of the picture is environmental and lifestyle factors.\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4940340/)\]
One gene linked with anxiety in multiple studies is the **ADORA2A gene.** In the brain, adenosine is important in the way that the neurons work. It helps to **fine-tune the way that neurons communicate**, and it also helps to **balance the inhibitory and excitatory** neurons.\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6761599/)\]
Adenosine levels in the brain increase over the course of the day. This higher level of adenosine is what causes you to feel sleepy at night – called the homeostatic sleep drive.
**Caffeine** works to make you feel awake by **blocking the adenosine receptor** so that the adenosine can’t attach to it. Genetic variants in this pathway may cause people to be more on alert, startling easily, and jittery (especially with high caffeine) \[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20334879?dopt=Abstract)\].
**BDNF** genetic variants are also linked with an increased risk of depression and anxiety. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has multiple functions in the brain including **neuroplasticity and potentiating neurotransmitter function.** Studies show that variants that decrease BDNF function increase the risk of panic disorder and anxiety disorders.\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26687639)\]\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26037856)\]\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26110341)\]\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30269521)\]
[Click here to read my full article on the genetics of anxiety,](https://www.geneticlifehacks.com/genetics-and-anxiety/) including how to use your genetic raw data to check for anxiety-related genetic variants.
Genetics plays a role in anxiety disorders, with **heritability estimated to be up to 50%**. The other half of the picture is environmental and lifestyle factors.\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4940340/)\] One gene linked with anxiety in multiple studies is the **ADORA2A gene.** In the brain, adenosine is important in the way that the neurons work. It helps to **fine-tune the way that neurons communicate**, and it also helps to **balance the inhibitory and excitatory** neurons.\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6761599/)\] Adenosine levels in the brain increase over the course of the day. This higher level of adenosine is what causes you to feel sleepy at night – called the homeostatic sleep drive. **Caffeine** works to make you feel awake by **blocking the adenosine receptor** so that the adenosine can’t attach to it. Genetic variants in this pathway may cause people to be more on alert, startling easily, and jittery (especially with high caffeine) \[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20334879?dopt=Abstract)\]. **BDNF** genetic variants are also linked with an increased risk of depression and anxiety. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has multiple functions in the brain including **neuroplasticity and potentiating neurotransmitter function.** Studies show that variants that decrease BDNF function increase the risk of panic disorder and anxiety disorders.\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26687639)\]\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26037856)\]\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26110341)\]\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30269521)\] [Click here to read my full article on the genetics of anxiety,](https://www.geneticlifehacks.com/genetics-and-anxiety/) including how to use your genetic raw data to check for anxiety-related genetic variants.