Embrace your inner geek, this is really interesting stuff…
Gene bods, 23andMe, have conducted some research which they believe indicates that misophonia is potentially a genetic trait.
The numbers are relatively small at this stage, the findings are VERY broad so clearly a lot more research and testing needs to be done, but this is an interesting find nonetheless.
Who are 23andMe? They’re a company who offer DNA genetic testing and analysis to the public. You pay them a fee, they send you a kit and you send them back a large plastic tube filled with your saliva, which they can then analyse.
Basically you spit at them through the post.
Now, primarily people have used the service to find out whether they are genetically predisposed to certain medical conditions or degenerative diseases. Like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or Cystic Fibrosis.
They can also show whether you’re more likely, given your genetic makeup, to have a positive or negative to certain drugs and treatments. There’s also the more fun, ‘family tree’ side where you can look at genetic traits related to which part of the world your ancestors were from.
I have to thank my readers for sharing the misophonia angle here because a couple of them have received DNA reports and noticed that the findings indicate that they are more disposed to variant rs2937573.
Here’s a note from the 23andMe’s blog which explains their findings:
“In an internal study of about 80,000 customers who have consented to research on the subject, 23andMe researchers found that about 20 percent said they were “filled with rage” by the sound of others eating.”
“The researchers also found that the condition was more commonly reported by women than men.”
“And the study identified a specific variant associated with misophonia among people of European ancestry. The variant, rs2937573, is near the gene TENM2, which plays a role in brain development.”
I’d like to look at a few of the points raised by these findings in little more detail here:
Misophonia in women vs men – There does appear to be a higher prevalence of misophonia among women than men but it would be interesting to see if larger studies back this up. It may be the case that men are, in some instances, less forthcoming about their health issues. A study conducted by the National Pharmacy Association in 2012 showed that men visited their GP 4 times a year compared to 6 times a year for women. Men also visited pharmacies 4 times a year on average compared to 18 times for women.
Misophonia and ethnicity – 23andMe quoted the gene variant rs2937573 as being associated with ‘people of European ancestry’. I was really surprised by this finding as the misophones who contacted me on Allergic to Sound come from all over the world. While it’s certainly possible that they all have some European ancestry, somewhere down the line, it will interesting to see if they are able to identify any other possible gene variants in the future that refute this finding.
That 20% figure – I can usually spot a fellow misophone in public – we have pretty tell tale signs – there’s a certain flicker that passes across the eyes when a trigger sound is in play… a rush for headphones… a jitteryness. Unless there is dramatically sliding scale of misophonia sensitivity I’d be surprised if as many as 2 in 10 humans have misophonia. Looking at my own friend set I would have put the figure much much lower. This is a very subjective observation.
One gene? – This is important. 23andMe’s finding does not mean we can say with absolute certainty that if you have this ONE gene variant you will have misophonia. Multiple genes may be involved in misophonia and unravelling which of these play a role (it may be several in tandem) will, I hope, be the subject of ongoing study.
Nature vs Nurture – It’s also very important to look at environmental factors. They may well be an epigenetic component to misophonia i.e. brought on by a gene variant which is ‘switched on’. Perhaps, for example, it’s a gene variant that is triggered during puberty. This might explain why the majority of people with misophonia report noticing it at around the age of 11.
I suspect that what may be happening here is that the genes mentioned may have some role in sensory processing… or that they have a role in the sensitivity of the signals or responses coming in or out and how they’re processed. For the time being I’m not convinced that there’s a ‘one off’ misophonia gene that we can label and put in a box as being the sole answer.
However, with that said this is a fascinating line of research and one that I hope these DNA testing companies continue to delve into in the future. The more data we can get on this subject the better.
What are your thoughts? Do you have family members you suspect may have misophonia? Are you someone with misophonia who is of non European descent? I’d love to continue the discussion in the comments section below.
This is fascinating, indeed. Thanks so much for the info. I like where you describe the telltale signs of a misophone in your midst (spot-on, as usual), and I would keep my eye out on my subway ride to work, except that I’m such a misokinesiac I have to spend most of my time with my eyes shut! Maybe I’ll start to glance around in future before I shut down. Thanks again, for all you do; it really does provide some comfort to me, and I expect to many others.
Ah, thanks Julie, you’re very welcome!
I’m Turkish miso, so I’m not an European descent ig. And I suspect my cousin have miso too, bcz his mother saw a news about miso on TV and she said he has something similar to it. He is around 13 yo so he’s probably at the early stage idk.
Perhaps misophonia is as common as the study suggests, only, the vast majority of those who have it are only a level 1 or 2 and therefore don’t have much- if any- reaction to sounds. I remember backs when my misophonia first emerged I started to pick up on a lot of sounds, I registered that I didn’t like them but there was no physical discomfort. I would just tell my friend to stop chewing with their mouth open- I just thought it was because no one likes to see someone’s washing machine.
That was a bit of a tangent, but this was a really interesting study- thanks for sharing 🙂
This is very interesting. I have both Misophonia and Misokinesia and my mother does aswell.
Thank you I had not seen a connection made to any 23andme data until now. It may be that the genetic set up is higher than the epigentic reality of how many actually develop it and when. I’d be interested in knowing the triggering event(s) that cause the expression, and whether it could be reversed as in some other conditions, like autism? Is there research into environmental triggers? High copper, pollution, toxins, infections, heavy metals, bbb, nutrient deficiencies, gut flora/biome/viome, etc. I have miso, but also have a form of synasthesia where sometimes if I hear or see someone close to me discuss pain or reveal a bruise, I will feel the pain. My dad had this strongly and was told it was sympathy pain. I think I inherited this from him. If there is a contact to share 23andme results for this gene variant, please let me know. I have results A/G. I wonder if there isn’t related genes that might contribute – perhaps looking at synasthesia genes or even mythelation SNPs? I know of several adults, one a close friend, who developed miso midlife after exposure to mold. The other person who developed it late in life also thought there was a connection to mold exposure. It may be that there are numerous triggers for it. It would be interesting to look at late onset cases, as these don’t seem typical, but maybe they are.
Hi Deb, I think that’s an excellent point regarding the epigenetic reality. I’m not aware of research into environmental triggers but it would a fascinating area to look at. Very interesting about ‘sympathy pain’ and quite timely that you mentioned it actually. It’s very possible, according to one researcher I was talking to, there may be more strongly developed empathy levels in misophones.
Thank you for this article. I am 52 and have had severe misophonia since I was 9 years old. I have lived with shame, guilt, and hatred of myself for the rage I have internalized all these years. My flight or fight impulses are overwhelming the second I hear the trigger sounds and dissipate after I have removed myself from the triggers or they stop. This has left me with feelings of embarrassment and confusion, thinking I am crazy and weird.
Recently, I started looking into the new research behind misophonia. I have felt relief and validation as I thought I was the only person to experience these intense feelings. My 23andMe results have provided me with further validation as I have tested TENM2, rs2937573, my genotype being GG. While this knowledge helps, the way I deal with the triggers hasn’t changed. I am still running away, putting the earplugs in, noise canceling headphones on, etc. I don’t share this information and still tend to isolate as I don’t want to hurt feelings or make people think they need to cater to me. It is a lonely place to be.
I have joined a misophonia group on Facebook and to hear others share experiences so similar to mine is reassuring. Knowledge is power and hopefully as more research is done, this can be more tallow talked about and normalized.
I too am suspicious my Misophonia is related to mold exposure.
I definitely think it’s genetic! We have a strong presence of misophonia in our family. My mom has it, my brother has it, I have it, and now my 9 year old daughter has it. I feel heartbroken for my daughter because I know how very very hard it can be to go through. I’m trying to teach her coping mechanisms because she’s started screaming at her brother for sniffling and chewing with his mouth open. Both are triggers for me too so I can very much understand what she’s feeling. Thank you so much for this site!
Noticed in last few years (I nearly 75) that various noises ‘get to me’ – in particular high females voices/rattling of plastic bags/groups of people seemingly ‘shouting’ when I walk down a street. Also TV’s turned up too loud.
Ha!! That’s our problem! Cannot stand the sound of someone eating! Nor can my siblings. Not sure about my parents, as they have passed on, and I don’t remember if they were bothered. Our descent is Irish/French. I think I need the “Survival Kit”!!!
I had the genetic results – I was screaming with joy around the house ” it’s genetic – it’s genetic – it’s not my fault!!!!” .Years of blaming myself for being intolerant and akward were swept away in that moment. Since then my sister and my daughter have both had the same results and although they both suffer, it is far milder for them than it is for me.
That’s a nice feeling!
One thing to bear in mind though is these DNA testing companies do not know for sure yet that this gene variant is the sole gene responsible for miso. It’s an informal study and it could be that gene variant rs2937573 makes up a part of the equation.
I’m a misophone and just got my results back from 23andme. They indicate that I’m less likely to have misophonia. I ordered the test to see what it said about that trait and so that my data could hopefully be used in further research, but I wonder just how significant a role that gene actually plays.
Hi Sean, that’s interesting. Yes, at present I don’t think we can really treat these miso gene testing results as much more than intriguing and worth some further investigation until more detailed results are in.
well im a nepalese indian … i really need help im so bothered with all these sounds i have consulted many drs but it is of no use my parents dont belief in me its quite tough
Amazing someone is finding something about Misophonia
Thank you Tom. It’s absolutely fascinating tho have to admit I’ll need to read the info over and over to try and understand!
You’re very welcome!
I have been with a partner suffering from Misophonia for many years. I remember feeling terrorized by attempts to keep me from breathing, from smacking, from chewing. I thought something was wrong with me at times. A very difficult condition to deal with in a relationship, in a family. All are affected.
This disorder hits families very hard. My older son has it and it greatly effected my younger sons life as he is one of many triggers. The family dynamic is shattered. No dinners together, eating out nearly impossible. I think the genetic component makes sense and I would love to hear research into environmental triggers such as mold and toxin exposure, lyme disease, etc that can set things off.