Evidence for a common biological basis of the absorption trait, hallucinogen effects, and positive symptoms: Epistasis between 5-HT2a and COMT polymorphisms
American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B Neuropsychiatric Genetics June 17, 2005 Ulrich Ott, Martin Reuter, Juergen Hennig et al. 96 citations
The personality trait Absorption—a disposition for altered states of consciousness involving focused attention, vivid imagery, and mystical experiences—is linked to a specific genetic variation. People with the T/T genotype of the T102C polymorphism in the 5-HT2a receptor gene, which produces stronger receptor binding, scored significantly higher on the Tellegen Absorption Scale. No independent effect was found for the COMT gene variation, but an interaction between the two genes was significant, highlighting the interplay between serotonin and dopamine systems. These results suggest a biological basis for Absorption.