CONSUMER ORDERS CLINICAL STORE REGISTER PORTAL About Science GARS® restoreGen® Diagnostics MyGenx® U.S. Providers Clinical Store Geneus Health: Science The Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS®) is the innovation of Geneus Health co-founder Dr. Kenneth Blum. The science is derived from the early groundbreaking findings of Dr. Kenneth Blum and Dr. Ernest P. Noble (former director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism). The research was published in JAMA (1990), discussing the first association of the dopamine D2 receptor gene and severe alcoholism. This was the first ever confirmed gene in the field of Psychiatric Genetics. The importance of this discovery paved the way for subsequent gene variations involved in what has been defined as the Brain Reward Cascade (BRC) [see figure 1]. Figure 1 It is the interaction of many chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the BRC, that enables the release of the molecule dopamine at just the right amount to the reward site of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. While there are many interacting systems involved in this process, the following neurotransmitter pathways are required in this complicated process: Serotonergic Cannabinergic Opioidergic GABAergic Glutaminergic Cholinergic Dopaminergic The final interaction of these systems provide the net release of dopamine that then stimulates 9 receptors (the D1 and D2 most prominent) to induce a feeling of well-being and even heightened pleasure states. Humans are therefore wired to achieve this feeling in spite of daily stress and trauma. In simpler terms, if the exact amount of dopamine is compromised or potentially reduced, then the individual cannot deal with typical every day events, and finds unnatural ways to obtain a “dopamine fix” leading to all types of additive behaviors. These addictive behaviors include: Drugs Alcohol Nicotine Glucose/Food Gambling Sex Hoarding Shopping Gaming All of these substance and non-substance behaviors have at one thing in common...they cause dopamine to be released at the reward site of the brain. So in essence by seeking out anything that will fix the low dopamine function, the individual finds resolve by self-medicating to overcome what has been termed “hypodominergia” (low levels of dopamine). While initially this seems beneficial over time, both substance and even non-substance addictive behaviors attack the reward centers of the brain locking people into unwanted dependence. GARS® helps identify the various genes tied to the normal release of dopamine via the BRC and pinpoints any variation of these required reward genes. GARS® is based on the primary genes identified in the BRC and subsequent variations (alleles) or polymorphisms (a single nucleotide switch -SNPS) [see Figure 2]. Figure 2 The collective research by numerous global scientists, Geneus Health scientists, and the Colorado Institute of Behavioral Genetics, have clearly identified ten reward genes across the BRC and eleven SNPS that predicted clinical severity outcomes (drug and alcohol severity as measured by Addiction Severity Index: ASI). Each risk variation utilized in GARS® has been the subject of thousands of published articles. Following a four year observation evaluating GARS® and its predictive abilities in a multi-centered study, it was found that individuals carrying any combination of seven alleles or more predicts clinical alcohol severity, while four alleles or more predicts clinical drug severity. Through the understanding of “reward deficiency” and associated compromised genes as identified by GARS®, we can accurately pinpoint brain dopamine function. The Power of restoreGen's Ingredients Evidentiary Basis of ingredients in KB220 (Restoregen®) Our goal is to provide this powerful science and technology to improve behavioral predictive medicine and management for people everywhere. We put the power of understanding more about who YOU are into your hands! CONTACT San Antonio,TX Phone: 844-800-2334 LEGAL Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions GARS® Test References PROVIDER PORTAL GET IN TOUCH Name: Email: Message: © 2020 All rights reserved Geneus