Genetic Testing for Mental Health: A Functional Psychiatry Perspective

Understanding Your DNA to Personalize Treatment

At Your Functional Health in Austin, we believe mental health care should be as individualized as your genetic code. Genetic testing is used by functional psychiatry to reveal how your DNA influences brain chemistry, medication response, detox pathways, and nutrient needs—so treatment becomes more targeted, effective, and safe.

Rather than relying on trial and error, genetic testing helps us uncover why certain therapies work better for some people than others.

The Science Behind Genetic Testing in Psychiatry

Your genes don’t determine your destiny—but they do shape your biology. Variations in certain genes (called SNPs, or single nucleotide polymorphisms) can influence:

• How your body metabolizes medications

• How efficiently you produce and recycle neurotransmitters

• Your detox and methylation capacity

• Your inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormone regulation

Functional psychiatry looks at these genetic factors not in isolation, but as part of your whole biochemical picture.

How Genetic Testing Guides Functional Psychiatry

Genetic testing can reveal subtle biological vulnerabilities that affect mental health outcomes. Common gene categories we assess include:

1. Methylation & Detoxification (MTHFR, COMT, GST, SOD2)

• MTHFR affects folate metabolism, which impacts serotonin and dopamine production.

  • Variant impact: Low motivation, anxiety, treatment-resistant depression, fatigue.

• COMT influences how quickly you break down dopamine and norepinephrine.

  • Variant impact: Fast COMT = low dopamine (focus issues); slow COMT = high dopamine (anxiety, overstimulation).

• GST & SOD2 relate to antioxidant and detox capacity—key for clearing neurotoxins and reducing inflammation.

2. Neurotransmitter Metabolism (MAO-A, GAD1, TPH2)

• MAO-A regulates serotonin and dopamine breakdown; slow variants may increase irritability or anxiety.

• GAD1 is involved in converting glutamate to calming GABA; low activity may cause excitability or insomnia.

• TPH2 helps produce serotonin from tryptophan; variants can lower serotonin synthesis.

3. Inflammation & Brain Resilience (IL6, TNF, BDNF)

• IL6 and TNF variants can increase inflammation, raising risk for depression or fatigue.

• BDNF supports neuroplasticity; lower activity is linked to poor stress adaptation and slower recovery from trauma.

4. Hormone & Stress Regulation (NR3C1, CRHR1)

• These genes affect cortisol and adrenal signaling. Imbalances can contribute to anxiety, burnout, or difficulty adapting to stress.

Why Genetic Insight Matters for Mental Health

Understanding your genetic makeup helps us:

• Predict medication sensitivity (e.g., SSRI side effects or poor responders)

• Personalize supplements 

• Optimize detoxification and antioxidant support

• Design nutrition and lifestyle interventions that match your biochemical blueprint

This precision approach reduces side effects, improves treatment response, and prevents relapse by addressing your unique vulnerabilities.

Functional Psychiatry in Action

At Your Functional Health, genetic data is combined with lab markers, hormone and nutrient testing, and patient history to create a 360° view of your physiology.

Your personalized plan may include:

• Nutrient repletion for methylation and neurotransmitter balance

• Anti-inflammatory nutrition

• Targeted supplementation based on SNPs

• Mind-body strategies to regulate stress pathways

• Integrative medication management if needed

Beyond the Genome: Epigenetics & Lifestyle

Genes load the gun—but environment and individual actions pull the trigger.Through nutrition, sleep, stress management, and toxin reduction, we can turn genes on or off in favorable ways. This concept—called epigenetics—empowers patients to take control of their mental health outcomes.

Is Genetic Testing Right for You?

You may benefit from genetic testing if you have:

• A history of poor medication response or side effects

• Anxiety, depression, or fatigue that persists despite treatment

• Family history of mood disorders, ADHD, or addiction

• Suspected methylation or detox issues

• A desire for a data-driven, root-cause approach

Discover Your Genetic Blueprint for Mental Wellness

Your genes can guide a more personalized path to healing. At Your Functional Health in Austin, our Functional Psychiatry program uses genetic testing to identify vulnerabilities, optimize treatment, and support true mind-body balance.

Book your consultation today to learn how understanding your DNA can improve your mental health outcomes.

Learn more about our functional medicine approach to mental health here.

Xenia,

Your Functional Med NP