rs4680
COMTrs4680 is a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the COMT gene. Genespiral reads it in the Health & Wellness and Personality analyses to describe Pain Sensitivity, Extraversion, Emotional Intelligence, Anxiety Levels, Adaptability, Perseverance, Hedonic Capacity, Tolerance to Uncertainty, Adaptation to Social Norms, Emotional Intelligence in Leadership, Self-Esteem Levels and Adaptability to Change.
- Gene
- COMT
- Alleles
- A / G
- Genotypes
- GG, AG, AA
- Traits
- 12 traits across 2 analyses
An rsID such as rs4680 is the reference number dbSNP assigns to one position in the genome where people commonly differ by a single letter. Raw data exports from 23andMe and AncestryDNA list your two alleles at that position as a genotype - for this marker one of GG, AG, AA. The order of the two letters carries no meaning, so AG and its reverse are the same genotype.
Alleles on this page are written on the forward (plus) strand, matching how consumer raw files report them. Other references sometimes describe the same variant on the opposite strand, which swaps A↔T and C↔G - see why the same variant can look different. The associations below are educational summaries of published research; they are not diagnoses, and the effect of any single SNP is usually modest.
Pain Sensitivity
Sensory and Neurological · Part of the Health & Wellness analysis
Involved in dopamine metabolism, affecting pain perception and sensitivity.
| Genotype | Association |
|---|---|
| GG | Higher Pain Tolerance |
| AG | Intermediate Pain Tolerance |
| AA | Lower Pain Tolerance |
- Summary
- COMT gene variations influence pain tolerance and sensitivity to painful stimuli.
- Scientific insights
- 'GG' alleles are often associated with higher pain tolerance, while 'AA' may indicate lower tolerance.
- Lifestyle tips
- Regular exercise can help build pain tolerance over time.
Extraversion
Personality Traits · Part of the Personality analysis
Linked to dopamine regulation, influencing social behavior and cognitive function.
| Genotype | Association |
|---|---|
| AA | More introverted |
| AG | Moderate extraversion |
| GG | More extraverted |
- Summary
- Variations in COMT affect dopamine levels, impacting traits like extraversion and social motivation.
- Scientific insights
- Individuals with 'GG' may find social interactions more rewarding.
- Lifestyle tips
- Extraversion can be enhanced through social skills training and exposure to group settings.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Traits · Part of the Personality analysis
Affects dopamine degradation, impacting emotional regulation and cognitive function.
| Genotype | Association |
|---|---|
| GG | Higher emotional intelligence |
| AG | Moderate emotional intelligence |
| AA | Lower emotional intelligence |
- Summary
- Variants in COMT may influence one's ability to understand and manage emotions.
- Scientific insights
- Individuals with 'GG' may find it easier to manage and interpret emotions.
- Lifestyle tips
- Practicing active listening can further enhance emotional intelligence.
Anxiety Levels
Emotional Traits · Part of the Personality analysis
Involved in dopamine metabolism, influencing stress response and anxiety levels.
| Genotype | Association |
|---|---|
| AA | Higher anxiety levels |
| AG | Moderate anxiety levels |
| GG | Lower anxiety levels |
- Summary
- COMT gene variations affect dopamine availability, impacting anxiety and stress response.
- Scientific insights
- Individuals with 'AA' may be more susceptible to stress and anxiety under challenging circumstances.
- Lifestyle tips
- Stress management techniques, such as mindfulness and exercise, can help reduce anxiety.
Adaptability
Personality Traits · Part of the Personality analysis
Involved in dopamine regulation, impacting flexibility in changing situations.
| Genotype | Association |
|---|---|
| GG | Higher adaptability |
| AG | Moderate adaptability |
| AA | Lower adaptability |
- Summary
- COMT variations affect stress tolerance and adaptability, influencing how well one adjusts to new situations.
- Scientific insights
- Individuals with 'GG' may adapt more easily to changes in work or social environments.
- Lifestyle tips
- Practicing problem-solving in varied contexts can improve adaptability.
Perseverance
Personality Traits · Part of the Personality analysis
Linked to dopamine regulation, influencing persistence and resilience.
| Genotype | Association |
|---|---|
| GG | Higher perseverance |
| AG | Moderate perseverance |
| AA | Lower perseverance |
- Summary
- COMT gene variations can impact endurance in the face of challenges.
- Scientific insights
- Individuals with 'GG' may show greater persistence in achieving their goals.
- Lifestyle tips
- Setting small, achievable steps toward larger goals can boost perseverance.
Hedonic Capacity
Emotional Traits · Part of the Personality analysis
Involved in dopamine regulation, influencing the experience of pleasure and satisfaction.
| Genotype | Association |
|---|---|
| GG | Greater ability to experience pleasure |
| AG | Moderate ability |
| AA | Reduced ability |
- Summary
- COMT gene variations affect the reward system in the brain, impacting hedonic or pleasure-seeking capacity.
- Scientific insights
- Individuals with 'GG' may find more enjoyment and pleasure in various activities and experiences.
- Lifestyle tips
- Engaging in rewarding and fulfilling activities can enhance hedonic capacity.
Tolerance to Uncertainty
Emotional Traits · Part of the Personality analysis
Involved in dopamine regulation, influencing comfort levels in uncertain or ambiguous situations.
| Genotype | Association |
|---|---|
| GG | Higher tolerance |
| AG | Moderate tolerance |
| AA | Lower tolerance |
- Summary
- COMT gene variations impact the capacity to handle uncertainty and make decisions with incomplete information.
- Scientific insights
- Individuals with 'GG' may find it easier to adapt to ambiguity and make decisions under uncertainty.
- Lifestyle tips
- Practicing flexibility and focusing on controllable factors can improve tolerance to uncertainty.
Adaptation to Social Norms
Social Traits · Part of the Personality analysis
Linked to dopamine processing, influencing adaptability in social contexts.
| Genotype | Association |
|---|---|
| GG | Better adaptation |
| AG | Moderate adaptation |
| AA | Lower adaptation |
- Summary
- COMT gene variations can affect social awareness and willingness to conform to social expectations.
- Scientific insights
- Individuals with 'GG' may find it easier to adapt to new social environments and norms.
- Lifestyle tips
- Observing and engaging in different social settings can improve adaptability to social norms.
Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
Leadership Traits · Part of the Personality analysis
Involved in dopamine metabolism, influencing emotional regulation and social awareness in leadership roles.
| Genotype | Association |
|---|---|
| GG | Higher emotional intelligence |
| AG | Moderate intelligence |
| AA | Lower intelligence |
- Summary
- COMT gene variations can impact emotional intelligence and effectiveness in leadership situations.
- Scientific insights
- Individuals with 'GG' may find it easier to manage emotions, making them effective leaders in challenging situations.
- Lifestyle tips
- Practicing empathy and emotional regulation can improve leadership capabilities.
Self-Esteem Levels
Emotional Traits · Part of the Personality analysis
Involved in dopamine regulation, impacting emotional stability and self-perception.
| Genotype | Association |
|---|---|
| GG | Higher self-esteem |
| AG | Moderate self-esteem |
| AA | Lower self-esteem |
- Summary
- COMT gene variations can influence levels of self-esteem and confidence.
- Scientific insights
- Individuals with 'GG' may experience higher self-esteem and a stronger sense of self-worth.
- Lifestyle tips
- Practicing self-affirmation and positive self-talk can help maintain or improve self-esteem.
Adaptability to Change
Personality Traits · Part of the Personality analysis
Involved in dopamine regulation, influencing flexibility and adaptability in changing situations.
| Genotype | Association |
|---|---|
| GG | Highly adaptable |
| AG | Moderately adaptable |
| AA | Less adaptable |
- Summary
- COMT gene variations affect adaptability to new situations, challenges, and changes.
- Scientific insights
- Individuals with 'GG' may find it easier to adjust to new environments and unexpected changes.
- Lifestyle tips
- Practicing problem-solving and flexibility can improve adaptability to change.
Check your genotype at rs4680
Load your raw DNA file and Genespiral looks up rs4680 along with every other marker in the Health & Wellness and Personality analyses. The file is parsed in your browser and never uploaded, so your genotype stays on your device.
- 1. Download your raw data from 23andMe or AncestryDNA.
- 2. Open the analysis below and choose the file.
- 3. Find Pain Sensitivity and Extraversion in your results.
Related
More markers from Health & Wellness and Personality
Articles that discuss rs4680
References
Primary databases for this variant. Use them to check allele orientation, population frequencies, and the underlying studies.
- dbSNP entry for rs4680 - NCBI
- rs4680 variant page - Ensembl
- rs4680 summary - SNPedia
- Clinical significance records for rs4680 - ClinVar
- COMT gene - NCBI Gene
Genespiral is an educational tool, not a medical service. Genetic associations describe tendencies observed across populations, not certainties for you. Read the full disclaimer.