DRD4-7R

Azuriaz

Something interesting for all of you fellow food cravers out there and maybe for those of you who feel you were born to be nomadic paleo people, too. Oh, and for us ADHD people all around. By the way, those with this variant might end up living longer (that's from a different article), provided we don't jump off one too many high places in search of thrills. But it might also impair creativity. Boo!

This gene variant is known colloquially as the Wanderlust Gene. However, there might be something to it beyond catchy headlines. Nomads with this variant thrive but their city dwelling counterparts with the same variant don't. It has also been correlated not just with ADHD and risk-seeking behaviors, but also with cravings, notably, food cravings. Ah, but what foods? Doesn't exactly say.

I don't know what forum is the best place for this, but I thought it was interesting that a traditional lifestyle and diet (admittedly for probably far more reasons than what foods are consumed) makes this variation a possible advantage, while 'modern living' possibly disadvantages those with this particular variant. I'm assuming I have this variant, but I haven't been genetically tested or anything.

http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2008/06/ariaaltribe.html

One version of the DRD4 gene, the '7R allele,' is believed to be associated with food craving as well as ADHD. By studying adult men of the Ariaal tribe of Kenya, some of whom still live as nomads while others have recently settled and begun to grow crops, the researchers investigated whether the different versions of DRD4 have the same manifestations in different environments.

The researchers found a striking difference in the two populations. Those with the DRD4/7R allele were better nourished in the nomadic population but less well-nourished in the settled population.