Genetics (Part 2): ADHD, Cognitive Function, Motivation, & Memory.. Are these influenced by our genes?
Could Your Genes Be the Missing Link?
In this article I will address both the diagnosed condition of ADHD and also certain traits that many non-ADHD people have such as poor memory, or low motivation/drive, or distractibility and even brain fog/poor cognitive function.
ADHD is now often recognised as a genetic condition however there isn’t a single gene that causes ADHD. Its also widely recognised that various lifestyle and environmental factors such as nutrient deficiencies, heavy metals, trauma, sleep, and gut health all contribute to how it manifests and yet factors seem to be different for each and every person. What if I told you that both of these things go hand-in-hand. Its not one or the other.
We now know there are multiple genetic polymorphisms (SNPs) that influence how the brain produces, processes, and responds to key neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and acetylcholine—all of which impact attention, motivation, memory, and emotional regulation.
For some, this leads to a formal diagnosis. But for many others, it's more subtle:
A brain that feels foggy or slow
A memory that has always been unreliable..
Chronic procrastination or mental fatigue
Trouble getting started—or staying focused
Low motivation that doesn’t shift, even when life is “fine”
Trouble following along a conversation… and drifting off
This doesn’t always meet criteria for ADHD, but it still affects quality of life, relationships, and work. And it may still be rooted in genetic factors that influence how your brain functions day to day.
In this article, we’ll explore the most researched gene variants linked to ADHD traits, poor memory, low drive, and cognitive sluggishness—and what we can do about it.
What Are SNPs and Why Do They Matter?
SNPs (pronounced “snips”) stand for Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms—tiny genetic variations in your DNA that can affect how your body functions.
We all have thousands of them, and most are harmless. But some SNPs influence how efficiently you produce enzymes or proteins that control brain chemistry, detoxification, hormone balance, and nutrient metabolism.
When it comes to focus, memory, and mental energy, several SNPs have been identified that impact:
Neurotransmitter production and breakdown (like dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine)
Receptor sensitivity (how well brain cells "listen" to chemical signals)
Neuroplasticity (your brain's ability to learn, adapt, and grow)
Stress response and emotional regulation
If you have certain SNPs that reduce efficiency in these systems, it may feel like your brain just doesn't fire the way it should — especially under pressure, after poor sleep, or when nutrient intake is low.. or perhaps there is a food trigger such as low sugar softdrinks with aspartame or foods with MSG, which increases glutamate and excitatory neurotransmitter… notice how some people it effect much more than others.
Think of it like a genetic “wiring diagram” that makes some brains more sensitive to stimulation, less responsive to reward, or more prone to distraction and overwhelm.
But here’s the good news:
Thanks to emerging research in nutrigenomics (how nutrition interacts with your genes), we now understand that certain genetic variations—called SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms)—can affect the way your brain handles stress, emotion, and neurotransmitter balance.
These SNPs don’t cause cognitive or mental health conditions directly, but they can influence how easily your brain produces or clears excess neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. With the right nutritional and lifestyle support, however, we can help your body work with those genes, not against them.
SNPs don’t determine your destiny — they just reveal where your system might need more targeted support.
Your genes are not your destiny.
By identifying your SNPs and understanding how they influence neurotransmitters and brain performance, we can tailor science backed strategies to help you think more clearly, feel more motivated, and stay emotionally grounded.
Key Gene Variants Linked to ADHD, Focus, and Cognitive Function
1. COMT (Catechol-O-Methyltransferase)
What it does: Helps break down dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline—especially under stress.
Why it matters:
Fast COMT: Breaks down dopamine too quickly → low motivation, poor reward sensitivity, mental fatigue, low drive.
Slow COMT: Dopamine lingers too long → anxiety, overstimulation, emotional reactivity.
For people with ADHD traits or low motivation, fast COMT is more common, leading to underactivation of the prefrontal cortex (the brain’s CEO in charge of focus and planning).
Dopamine is the "get-up-and-go" chemical. If you burn through it quickly, you may feel stuck, distracted, or flat—even if you're highly intelligent or creative.
Supportive Nutrients:
Amino Acids - Pheylalanine & Tyrosine – the building block which we make dopamine from (check with a practitioner before taking)
Nutrients needed along the Dopamine pathway - Iron, B6, Folate and Vitamin C.
Magnesium – essential for dopamine balance, you may be making enough dopamine, but your brain may not respond to it effectively. Magnesium is needed for dopamine receptors.
2. MAO-A (Monoamine Oxidase A)
What it does: Breaks down serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine
Why it matters:
Overactive MAO-A → rapid depletion of neurotransmitters that regulate mood, impulse control, and focus.
Underactive → may cause irritability or emotional dysregulation.
Symptoms:
Short attention span
Poor mood regulation
Irritability or mood crashes under stress
Lack of motivation or pleasure
Supportive Nutrients:
B2, B6, iron, and copper – co-factors for MAO-A function - always with pracitioner as copper will deplete zinc and we have high levels of zinc deficiency in Australia.
Tryptophan or 5-HTP (practitioner guided) to support serotonin
Antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation that worsen neurotransmitter imbalance
3. DRD2 / DRD4 (Dopamine Receptor Genes)
What they do: Influence how well your brain cells respond to dopamine.
Why they matter:
If you have reduced dopamine receptor sensitivity, even normal dopamine levels might not feel “rewarding.” This drives constant stimulation-seeking, impulsivity, and a need for novelty—all common ADHD traits.
Think: the child (or adult) who’s smart and curious but bored easily, struggles with tasks that aren't instantly rewarding, and constantly switches gears.
Supportive Nutrients to
to support dopamine synthesis
improve receptor function
helps modulate dopamine receptors and reduce impulsivity
4. BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)
What it does: Helps the brain grow new neurons, adapt, and form memory and learning circuits.
Why it matters:
Low BDNF = reduced neuroplasticity, which can lead to poor memory formation, difficulty learning, and slower mental processing.
Symptoms:
Forgetfulness
Brain fog
Struggling to learn new skills
Mood issues, especially under chronic stress
Supportive Strategies:
Exercise – one of the most powerful BDNF boosters
Specific Herbs and compounds associated with increase BDNF
Cold exposure, fasting, and hypnotherapy have also been shown to enhance BDNF
5. CHRNA4 / CHRNA7 (Cholinergic Receptor Genes)
What they do: Help regulate acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter involved in memory, attention span, and learning.
Why they matter:
Variants in these genes can reduce receptor sensitivity, making it harder for the brain to hold attention or store new memories.
Symptoms:
Word-finding issues
Forgetting names or instructions
Zoning out during conversations or reading
Supportive Nutrients:
Support Acetylcholine production with precursor building blocks (ie. choline)
Supporting nutrients which are– cofactor for acetylcholine synthesis
Specific strategies to support focus and memory.
🧬 You’re Not Stuck With Your Genes
Your genes are the blueprint—but your nutrition, mindset, and environment determine how that blueprint is expressed. This is the power of epigenetics.
In my practice, I combine nutritional strategies such as support for neurotransmitter production, or support for the above genetic SNPs, with clinical hypnotherapy —so clients don’t just manage symptoms, they transform their physiology from the inside out.
Why This Matters
These genetic variations don't cause anxiety or depression on their own—but they do make your brain more vulnerable under stress, poor diet, or inflammation.
That’s why conventional treatments often fall short: they don't always account for your biochemical individuality.
With the right support—nutrients, lifestyle changes, mindset tools—you can rewire your brain and regulate your mood in a more sustainable, personalised way.
Make it stand out
6. BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)
What it does: Supports brain plasticity, learning, emotional recovery, and resilience.
Why it matters:
Low BDNF → reduced ability to rebound from stress or trauma, less emotional flexibility, lower ability to form new mood-enhancing pathways.
Common symptoms: Low motivation, poor stress tolerance, “stuck” in negative moods
Supportive Nutrients & Lifestyle:
Zinc, curcumin, green tea extract (EGCG)
Exercise – particularly HIIT or strength training
Cold exposure, fasting, and even hypnotherapy have all been shown to upregulate BDNF
Ready to Understand Your Mental Health from the Inside Out?
If you've struggled with chronic anxiety, low mood, or emotional overwhelm—despite trying everything—it might be time to look deeper.
In clinic, I offer:
Functional genetic testing to assess your SNPs - we can order just a neurotransmitter panel or a full health panel.
Nutritional protocols tailored to your biology
While we address supporting these pathways, using hypnotherapy to forge new neural pathways and beliefs about self and your ability to respond differently to stressors.
📩 Book a discovery call to get started with a personalised plan that supports both your brain and your body.. Book Here