Controlling Genes to Stop Anxiety
We are all born, we go through life having our own experiences and difficulties. As we get older and stop doing the thing we enjoy, we don’t take the time to check in on ourselves. We become so out of touch with who we are and who we have become, we often developed symptoms of anxiety and depression. We get so nervous about what is going to happen next that we forget to focus on the now. What causes this?
We live in a time, controlled by screens, from the moment we wake up to the instant our head hits the pillow, often beyond this point, a bright screen consumes us, completely overwhelming our thoughts and ruining our brains. Sleeptime has decreased dramatically since the 1900s, from roughly 10 hours/night to just under 7 hours today. It is no coincidence this drop off is extremely apparent around the time lightbulbs were created. We are overstimulated. When is the last time you sat down and did nothing? Maybe never. It is human nature to be highly alert. If our ancestors were not, they would have died. There is no need for us to do the same.
What does this have to do with anxiety? Sleep is tightly linked to anxiety, it is nearly 100% of the time the main factor in its development. Factors such as duration, the time it occurs, the frequency of interruptions all play a role in the genesis. What if we could simply adjust the internal clock that controls these factors?
The CLOCK gene is responsible for our bodies circadian rhythm, or our internal clock. It determines when we wake up, go to sleep and are tired. As anxiety develops, the patterns are destroyed, it is often extremely difficult to get back on track. Taking advantage of the CLOCK gene could solve this. Simply by readjusting the gene responsible for our bodies internal clock, those suffering from insomnia or anxiety would now be able to sleep. If you have never suffered from a sleeping problem, you do not realise how crippling it can be. This procedure would be similar to a time change, the gene would be readjusted to follow a “typical” sleep routine, no more sleepless nights.
Is it really that easy? Studies have shown that the gene can be manipulated, it is not accurate, however. At this point, it is not predictable and does not always create better patterns, only different ones. Two compounds have been identified and targeted, TH303 and TH129. Through these compounds, the duration and quality of sleep can be improved. This was done through the combination of the CRY1 protein using x-ray crystallography. This demonstrated results because of the reaction with ultraviolet light. Unfortunately, this has only been simulated with computers.
By taking this information and incorporating the proteins found in the CLOCK gene, every human would get the sleep they need, allowing them to function effectively in our society. It is difficult to understand why this isn't being done already. To get to the next step, we need to pass laws and allow for more innovation in the field. Gene editing holds so much potential, it needs to become more mainstream to get to the level it can.
