BDNF memory & stress variant (Val66Met)

BDNF is a protein that helps brain cells grow and form memories. A common variant (Met66) slightly lowers its release during activity and has been weakly linked to memory and stress responses. The evidence is mixed, so read it lightly.

Possible results

Val/Val (typical BDNF). You have two 'Val' copies of BDNF, the common version, so your activity-driven release of this brain-growth protein is in the typical range. This gene's links to memory and mood are weak, so there's little to read into here.

One Met copy (BDNF). You carry one 'Met' copy of BDNF, which slightly lowers how much of this brain-growth protein is released during activity. It's been weakly linked to memory and stress responses, but the evidence is mixed, so it's a soft signal at most.

Met/Met (BDNF). You have two 'Met' copies of BDNF, tied to somewhat lower activity-dependent release of this brain-growth protein. Some studies link it to memory or stress differences, but findings are inconsistent, so treat it as a gentle hint, not a fact.

Evidence & sources

Across global populations, about 4% of people carry two copies of this variant, and about 67% carry none.

Related

Coffee consumption · COMT "warrior vs worrier" (stress & dopamine) · Dopamine reward sensitivity (DRD2 Taq1A) · Morning vs evening preference (CLOCK) · Nicotine dependence / cigarettes per day · Oxytocin receptor / empathy tendency