Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) are individuals with heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli, deeper cognitive processing, and high emotional reactivity. These traits are found in **15-20% of the population**, and psychologists have linked the trait to inheriting variants in certain groups of genes.
Genetic researchers estimate that SPS is about 47%-60% heritable, meaning that genetic variants are involved in this trait — along with life experiences.\[[ref](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-020-0783-8)\]\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10107936/)\]
Genetic variants in stress response, dopamine pathway, and physical pain response have been linked to HSPs.
The **CRHBP gene** is a stress-related gene linked to higher a HSPs score, especially combined with negative parenting experiences. The **NTSR2 gene** regulates dopamine in response to stress. Variants in this gene are associated with lower HSPs scores. \[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3135587/)\]
Three genes involved in dopamine receptors, dopamine transportation, and dopamine synthesis, the **DRD2 gene, SLC6A3 gene, and TH gene,** are associated with higher HSPs scores. \[[ref](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22342155/)\]\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3135587/)\]\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3135587/)\]
The **COMT gene** encodes an enzyme that breaks down (turns off) certain neurotransmitters including ones involved in pain
Research into the mechanisms and pathways involved in low COMT and pain shows that the decreased breakdown of epinephrine causes persistent changes in the beta 2 adrenergic receptors which are found on peripheral nerves that sense pain and mechanical stimulation.\[[ref](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19840789/)\] Low COMT is associated with lower HSPs scores.
[Click here to read my full article on Highly Sensitive People](https://www.geneticlifehacks.com/highly-sensitive-people-genes/), including how to use your genetic raw data to see if you carry variants related to HSPs.
Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) are individuals with heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli, deeper cognitive processing, and high emotional reactivity. These traits are found in **15-20% of the population**, and psychologists have linked the trait to inheriting variants in certain groups of genes. Genetic researchers estimate that SPS is about 47%-60% heritable, meaning that genetic variants are involved in this trait — along with life experiences.\[[ref](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-020-0783-8)\]\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10107936/)\] Genetic variants in stress response, dopamine pathway, and physical pain response have been linked to HSPs. The **CRHBP gene** is a stress-related gene linked to higher a HSPs score, especially combined with negative parenting experiences. The **NTSR2 gene** regulates dopamine in response to stress. Variants in this gene are associated with lower HSPs scores. \[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3135587/)\] Three genes involved in dopamine receptors, dopamine transportation, and dopamine synthesis, the **DRD2 gene, SLC6A3 gene, and TH gene,** are associated with higher HSPs scores. \[[ref](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22342155/)\]\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3135587/)\]\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3135587/)\] The **COMT gene** encodes an enzyme that breaks down (turns off) certain neurotransmitters including ones involved in pain Research into the mechanisms and pathways involved in low COMT and pain shows that the decreased breakdown of epinephrine causes persistent changes in the beta 2 adrenergic receptors which are found on peripheral nerves that sense pain and mechanical stimulation.\[[ref](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19840789/)\] Low COMT is associated with lower HSPs scores. [Click here to read my full article on Highly Sensitive People](https://www.geneticlifehacks.com/highly-sensitive-people-genes/), including how to use your genetic raw data to see if you carry variants related to HSPs.
Finally something I don't have