People with two copies of this gene (one from each parent) are twice as likely to be satisfied with their lives, a study found. The miracle gene is called 5-HTT. He is responsible for how well nerve cells can distribute serotonin, which helps control mood, writes The Telegraph.
People with low serotonin levels are known to be prone to depression. Now, researchers at the London School of Economics and Political Science have found evidence that people with the so-called "functional variant" of the 5-HTT gene lead happier lives. Jean-Emmanuel de Neuve, along with his colleagues, interviewed more than 2,500 Americans in order to find out their degree of satisfaction with life, at the same time testing the DNA of respondents for the presence of this gene.
So, out of 69% of people who had two copies of the gene, 34% declared their satisfaction with life, and 35% were very satisfied with life. But in people who did not have copies of genes, this proportion was 19% and 19%.
The data obtained proved that the 5-HTT gene provides an "operating code" for the transport of serotonin into the walls of nerve cells. The long version of the gene leads to the transfer of more serotonin. Since we inherit genes from our parents, the following combinations are possible: "long - long", "long - short" and "short - short".
