First of all, we need to clarify the difference between genetics and epigenetics. Epigenetics is the study of how environmental changes can affect the way genes are expressed, without changing genetic code. Being a relatively new study, there are many misconceptions about epigenetics. Simply put, Epigenetics is the mechanism behind genetics.
Epigenetics is the solution to the long debated “Nature vs Nurture” concept, which sought to determine whether a person’s mental aspects were influenced by inherited genetics ("Nature") or environment ("Nurture"). Stress, trauma, diet, and substance use can leave chemical tags in our DNA, which alters how our genes function. This happens through a process called DNA Methylation. When focusing on disorders, many of these could be the reason for disorders like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and addiction.
Fortunately, it’s been shown that positive environmental changes such as exercise or maintaining a good nutrition can reverse many of these harmful changes over time. In fact, studies have shown that certain practices, like cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation, can result in measurable shifts in DNA Methylation. With this in mind, scientists have been researching ways to develop different treatments for mental health disorders at a genetic level.
Fortunately, it’s been shown that positive environmental changes such as exercise or maintaining a good nutrition can reverse many of these harmful changes over time. In fact, studies have shown that certain practices, like cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation, can result in measurable shifts in DNA Methylation. With this in mind, scientists have been researching ways to develop different treatments for mental health disorders at a genetic level.
Considering how epigenetics is such a broad and relatively new topic, it would be interesting to see how this would relate to other fields in addition to mental health. There could be a host of conditions and diseases that may have their causes hidden in epigenetics. There should also be more research in gene therapy that targets the mechanisms behind epigenetics directly to understand how big of an effect it has on an organism's development.
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