Explore how genes, stress, and anxiety uniquely affect women, with new research explaining why their experiences differ from men, including the role of cortisol and the BDNF gene.
Explore the connection between genes, stress, and anxiety in women, and how new research reveals why their experience may differ from men’s.
How do women cope with stress conditions, anxiety, and pressure? What is the correlation between their genes? Do different genes have different effects on men and women? Exciting new research sheds light on the answers to all these questions.
Specialists suggest a rapid ability to adapt to stress conditions and overcome anxiety. However, some feel a great fear that could cause them bodily and psychological disorders. Numerous studies have shown that improving blood flow and the body and adapting them to acute stress conditions is very important to health. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published that in the coming 20 years, stress will be the second leading cause of death in the whole world.
It is believed that genetic variation plays a central role in the formation of different responses in people to stress conditions. Researchers estimate that genetic factors account for 62% of the level of stress hormone (cortisol) in the body. However, so far very few studies have shown the role of specific genes in people’s responses to stress conditions and overcoming anxiety.
In an attempt to uncover the genetic rules for dealing with stress, researchers performed a controlled experiment – a social experiment in which participants were placed in simulated situations and stressful experiences to which they were subjected to stress. In the experiment, researchers analyzed the morning cortisol levels in about 100 male and female students. For this purpose, the researchers used tests that measure the changes in the cortisol hormone and allow researchers to evaluate the body’s response to changing effort states.
In this experiment, a student played the role of a person applying for a job interview who has only five minutes to convince the employer to accept them for the job. The interview was conducted in front of a microphone and camera and in front of three strict judges. In the second stage of the experiment, participants were asked to count backwards out loud from 1687 in multiples of 13, quickly and accurately. In a case where the participant made a mistake, they were asked to start counting again from the beginning.
In addition to measuring the level of cortisol, eye samples were taken from the participants to identify the gene BDNF (Neurotrophic factor that is produced in the brain). This gene participates in the growth and reconstruction of brain cells. Studies conducted on animals showed how in cases of stress and severe strain, the activity of this gene in the body decreases and how it returns to its original activity level by taking antidepressant medications to overcome anxiety.
One of the study’s findings published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology indicates that men who carry a certain change to the gene (Val/Va instead of Val/Met) had higher measured levels of cortisol, showing a stronger reaction to social pressure. Surprisingly, women who carried the same variant had lower measured levels of cortisol. According to the results, we can say that men generally showed more stress in the experiment than women.
The study shows an important awareness of the genetic composition for the difference in handling situations related to the differences between the sexes. The study contributes to new ideas about how depression and other psycho-neurological diseases may result from a combination of a life full of stress and genetic factors. By extension, the researchers say that the study indicates that women with the gene BDNF in the form of Val/Met and men with Val/Va may be more harmed as a result of social stress.
