Some people feel that their problems will never go away: “Women in our family always have big hips in middle age.” “I’ve got depression because my mother had it, and so did her mother.” This kind of thinking can make us feel doomed and that nothing we do can make a positive difference. In fact, it is quite the opposite!
Genotype and Phenotype
While it is true that each of us has a inherited genetic predisposition to certain physical and psychological states, it is certainly not the case that we are stuck with our “bad genes”. Each of us has a genotype – a set of genes – inherited from our parents, which stays the same throughout our lives. Each of us also has a phenotype – the genes that are actively expressed at any particular time, and this is constantly changing. Even identical twins, who by definition have the same genotype, can have widely differing phenotypes, even to the extent of developing different psychiatric problems such as depression.
Epigenetics
Your phenotype, or gene expression, is affected by a complex interaction between your physical environment, your thoughts and emotions, stressful or traumatic life experiences, diet, giving and receiving nurture, and many more factors. This is the subject of the modern scientific field of “epigenetics” (the study of how behaviours and environment can influence gene expression.) Even laughter has been found to switch the expression of 27 specific genes. We can think of genes as being “switched on” or “switched off” – a gene can be switched on and off in seconds, or can stay switched either on or off for many years.
Psychotherapy and Gene Expression
Clinical psychologist Dr David Feinstein, in his 2010 article “Modulating Gene Expression Through Psychotherapy: The Contribution of Noninvasive Somatic Interventions,”[1] identifies five areas of biological change in successful psychotherapy that are dependent upon precise shifts in gene expression:
- Exaggerated limbic system responses to innocuous stimuli: for example, an army veteran might have an exaggerated fear response to loud noises such as fireworks.
- Distortions in learning and memory: for example, someone with depression might have a negative bias in their memory, recalling mostly negative experiences.
- Imbalances between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity: for example, a person with chronic anxiety might have an overactive sympathetic nervous system, leading to constant feelings of tension, and be unable to relax and sleep at night. This balance can be measured via Heart Rate Variability (HRV).
- Elevated levels of cortisol and other stress hormones.
- Impaired immune functioning: chronic stress and emotional trauma can weaken the immune system
[1] Feinstein, D., & Church, D. (2010). Modulating gene expression through psychotherapy: The contribution of noninvasive somatic interventions. Review of General Psychology, 14(4), 283-295. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021252
How can EFT alter gene expression?
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) is one of the “noninvasive somatic interventions” mentioned in David Feinstein’s article. Somatic means to do with the body, and in EFT we bring together body and mind by tapping on acupoints on the face, hands and chest while talking about what is bothering us.
A growing amount of research suggests that EFT can rebalance the limbic system, help with memory reconsolidation, improve HRV, decrease levels of cortisol, and improve immune function. Subjective experience demonstrates time after time that people’s moods, feelings, thoughts and beliefs can change after practising EFT. EFT, by affecting both body (biological markers) and mind, has the potential to positively alter gene expression.
It can be very empowering to realise that we are not at the mercy of our genetic inheritance, and that there are many things we can do to affect our gene expression or phenotype. EFT is literally at your fingertips and can be a powerful way to transform our emotional and psychological landscape, with a range of beneficial physical effects.
