Dr. Rhonda Patrick is one of my go-to experts when it comes to the latest actionable research in biochemistry, and she recently shared an article on BDNF, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor that was, literally, mind-blowing.  You can read the whole article here.

For us layman, BDNF is a protein that plays mission-critical roles in brain health, increasing neurogenesis and neuroplasticity.   This improves our cognitive functioning, learning, and memory and slows down the natural aging process, reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, and helps with mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Joe at SelfDecode has written many blog posts on the gene variants of the BDNF and the impacts the variants have on symptoms such as migraines, anxiety, depression, and more and I am sharing my personal genotype report below.  I highly recommend SelfDecode as a source of actionable information based on your unique genetic predisposition.

Regardless of your genotype and the pre-disposition of either higher or lower levels of BDNF, there, fortunately, are lifestyle choices we can all make to improve our BDNF levels:  exercise, meditation, mental training like the brain gauge, hot baths, omega-3 fatty acid, and probiotic consumption, to name a few.