Misophonia Has Genetic Links to Depression And Anxiety, Study Finds
A study published in 2023 by researchers in the Netherlands suggests the condition shares genes with mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
University of Amsterdam psychiatrist Dirk Smit and colleagues analyzed the genetic data from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, UK Biobank, and 23andMe databases and found people who self-identified as having misophonia were more likely to have genes associated with psychiatric disorders, as well as tinnitus.
Watch the clip below for a summary on their findings.
Patients with tinnitus – a persistent, shrill ringing in the ears – are also more likely to have psychological symptoms of depression and anxiety.
"There was also an overlap with PTSD genetics," Smit told Eric W. Dolan at PsyPost.
"This means that genes that give a sensitivity to PTSD also increase the likelihood for misophonia, and that could point to a shared neurobiological system that affects both. And that could suggest that treatment techniques used for PTSD could also be used for misophonia."
This doesn't mean misophonia and these other conditions necessarily have shared mechanisms, only that some of the genetic risk factors may be similar.
Previous research found people who experience misophonia are more likely to internalize their distress. Smit and team's research, published in 2023, also backed this up, showing strong links with personality traits such as worry, guilt, loneliness, and neuroticism.
Responses to a triggering sound can range from irritation and anger to distress that interferes with everyday life.
"It has been argued… that misophonia is based on the feelings of guilt about the evoked irritation and anger rather than behavioral expressions of anger itself that causes the distress," write Smit and team.
People with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD) were less likely to experience misophonia. This was unexpected as those with ASD have a decreased tolerance to sounds.
"Our results suggest that misophonia and ASD are relatively independent disorders with regard to genomic variation," the researchers write in their paper.
"It raises the possibility that other forms of misophonia exist, one that is mostly driven by conditioning of anger or other negative emotionality to specific trigger sounds moderated by personality traits."
Smit and colleagues caution their data was mostly European so the same links may not show up in different populations. What's more, misophonia was not medically diagnosed in their data samples, only self-reported which may also skew the results.
But their study also provides clues for where further research could focus to find the biological mechanism behind misophonia. A 2023 survey suggests misophonia is more prevalent than previously thought, making studies like this one invaluable for understanding how our perception of the world links with our mind's ability to cope within it.
This research was published in Frontiers in Neuroscience.
An earlier version of this article was published in October 2024.
Experimental Drug Helped Cancer Patients Live 40% Longer in Clinical Trial
Leprosy Was Lurking in The Americas Long Before Colonization, Study Finds
Does Retinol Reverse Signs of Aging? Here's The Science.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Los Angeles Times
For Less Than a Brentwood Teardown, Own a Lavish Midwest Estate
Move over Malibu. A luxury estate just outside Cleveland is redefining what buyers can expect for their money – and turning heads in markets like Los Angeles, where a similar property would easily command eight figures. Listed at a fraction of the price of a comparable West Coast estate, 3007 Kersdale Road in Pepper Pike, Ohio – affectionately named 'Playwood' by its original owner – is a one-of-a-kind architectural masterpiece tucked into a private cul-de-sac lot, offering total seclusion and serenity. Designed with Georgian undertones and exquisite detailing, the home's grandeur is matched only by its warmth and function. A sweeping, tree-lined driveway welcomes you into a circular motor court and a stately canopied entrance. A European-inspired façade, with its floor-to-ceiling arched windows, sets the tone for the elegance within. Inside, a grand marble foyer with a barrel-vaulted ceiling opens into a magnificent formal living room and a dining room fit for entertaining, all graced with rich hardwood floors and intricate plasterwork. The chef's kitchen is a culinary dream, with an adjoining family room perfect for casual gatherings. The owner's wing is a private retreat featuring a spacious bedroom, personal library, exercise room, dual walk-in dressing rooms and a luxurious spa-like bath. A separate bedroom wing houses four additional suites with private baths, while a separate apartment with its own entrance provides added flexibility. And yes, there's a heliport. And while the estate itself is secluded and serene, it's also incredibly connected. Just minutes away are Cleveland's top-ranked institutions: the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, top-ranked public schools, elite private schools, award-winning performing arts centers like Playhouse Square, and both Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and nearby private aviation facilities. Whether for world-class healthcare, education, entertainment or global travel, Playwood offers proximity without compromise. 'This is the kind of property you'd expect to see in Montecito or Beverly Hills,' says listing agent Adam Kaufman, recently ranked the #1 real estate agent in Ohio by RealTrends. 'But here, in Pepper Pike, you get all of this for a fraction of the price – and with proximity to top-tier hospitals, private aviation, world-class arts and elite private schools.' Co-listing agent Cici Riley adds, 'This home delivers on every level – architectural sophistication, grand-scale entertaining and luxurious everyday living. From the incredible sports wing to the thoughtful layout and privacy, it's a true sanctuary for those who want it all.' Additional amenities include: The estate combines architectural grace with unmatched functionality – designed for entertaining at scale or retreating in comfort. 3007 Kersdale Road is more than a home – it's a lifestyle statement for buyers seeking privacy, prestige and an unparalleled living experience in the heart of the Midwest. Address:3007 Kersdale RoadPepper Pike, OH 44124 Asking Price:$5,900,000 Listing Agents:Adam Kaufman, DRE#: 351481216.831.7370 / adamkaufman@ Cici Riley216.410.3114 / ciciriley@ Broker:Howard Hanna Real Estate Services About Adam KaufmanAdam Kaufman is the top-ranked real estate agent in Ohio by both sales volume and sides, with over $2 billion in career sales. He specializes in luxury and lifestyle properties throughout Northeast Ohio and leads the market with integrity, discretion and record-setting results. Learn more at About Cici RileyCici Riley is a distinguished luxury real estate expert with Howard Hanna, known for her personalized client service and market expertise in Cleveland's premier neighborhoods. Learn more at
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
I used to hate salads — then this viral one (and these tools) changed my mind
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. I've spent most of my adult life pretending to like salads the way I pretend to like networking events and almond milk lattes: with visible effort and a prayer for the experience to be over. But then, a friend made this salad — the salad. She's a personal assistant to a European family in the Hamptons, the kind who use seasons as verbs and keep produce in a constantly abundant arrangement in the center of the kitchen. One weekend, she whipped it up for lunch. I took one bite and may have blacked out. When I came to, something in me had shifted. Shaved fennel is so delicate that it practically melts. Citrus segments are arranged like stained glass windows. Herbs are cut with surgical precision. Parmesan so fine it floated. It crunched, it sparkled, it outdid its own reputation. I had always thought of salad as a punishment, but this one feels like seduction. Advertisement And while the ingredients matter, what really makes all the difference is the tools. A mandoline that slices fennel into translucence, herb scissors that make you feel like you're finally treating dill right, and a citrus juicer that extracts tablespoons of liquid from the hardest of lemons. The right tools don't just make it easier — they make you want to make it. Below is my adaptation of the recipe that converted me, plus every Amazon tool I use to build it in the order you use them. Every single one happens to also be on sale, so yes, the universe wants you to try this too. Shaved Fennel + Citrus Salad With Parm + Herbs Serves 2 as a main, 4 as a side. Inspired by a European family who refuses to eat anything ugly. Ingredients: 1 large bulb of fennel (with the fronds!) 2 oranges (blood or cara cara if you're fancy) 1 lemon ½ cup loosely packed parsley, mint, fennel fronds, and/or dill ¼ cup shaved parmesan 1 tbsp good olive oil Salt and cracked black pepper Directions (and the tools): Step 1: Gramercy Adjustable Mandoline Food Slicer Amazon Start by grabbing your fennel bulb and shaving it within an inch of its life. This mandoline makes that not only possible, but oddly thrilling. I adjusted it until the slices were nearly transparent — if you can read The Post through your fennel, you're doing it right. The grip is solid, the glove is included, and the results made me feel like a Parisian private chef, minus the visa. Step 2: Arthur Court Acacia Wood Salad Bowl Amazon Toss your delicate fennel slices right into this wide, show-stopping bowl. It's smooth, hefty, and makes your kitchen feel like a Nancy Meyers set. Plus, it gives everything room to breathe, which is vital when you're arranging citrus rounds like stained glass. Amazon Juice your lemon straight into a small bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper — this little guy handles that with shocking strength. No seeds, no wrist pain, just power. The dressing it helped me whip up was bright and bracing — exactly what the fennel and oranges need to sing. Step 4: LIBERHAUS Herb Scissors with 5 Blades Amazon While the fennel and citrus hang out in the dressing, grab your herbs and go to town. These scissors are like a glam rock version of regular scissors — five blades, zero bruising, and an instant confetti of mint, parsley, and dill. I genuinely felt powerful snipping herbs directly over the bowl like some sort of chaotic garden fairy. Amazon Now, let's get un-serious: tweezers. For salad. Yes. But, trust me, arranging citrus rounds and fennel ribbons with these makes you feel like you're plating for the Met Gala. It's not required, but neither is being fabulous. It's the most satisfying way to turn chaos into composition. Step 5: Microplane Premium Classic Series Amazon Final step: blanket your masterpiece in a touch of microplaned lemon zest and a heap of parmesan. This Microplane does both with ease, showering everything in that delicate, almost mist-like texture that's never clumpy or aggressive. It's the snowfall this salad deserves — airy, salty, and borderline euphoric. This article was written by Kendall Cornish, New York Post Commerce Editor & Reporter. Kendall, who moonlights as a private chef in the Hamptons for New York elites, lends her expertise to testing and recommending cooking products – for beginners and aspiring sous chefs alike. Simmering and seasoning her way through both jobs, Kendall dishes on everything from the best cookware for your kitchen to cooking classes that will level-up your skills to new dinnerware to upgrade your holiday hosting. Prior to joining the Post's shopping team in 2023, Kendall previously held positions at Apartment Therapy and at Dotdash Meredith's Travel + Leisure and Departures magazines.
Health Line
2 days ago
- Health Line
9 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Chestnuts
Not only are chestnuts a delicious treat, but they are rich in nutrients that have been linked to many health benefits. These include improved heart health, digestive health, and blood sugar control. Chestnuts are the edible nuts of trees and shrubs that belong to the Castanea genus. They have a delicious, mildly sweet taste and are incredibly versatile. You can incorporate them into a variety of dishes like stuffings, salads, and soups. There are many different types of chestnuts, and they share similar qualities. The most common types include the American chestnut, Chinese chestnut, Japanese or Korean chestnut, and European chestnut. It's worth noting that they're not related to the water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis), a type of aquatic vegetable popular in Asian cuisine. Here are nine intriguing health benefits of chestnuts. 1. Packed with nutrients Despite their small size, chestnuts are packed with a variety of nutrients. A 10-kernel (84-gram) serving of roasted chestnuts provides the following: Calories: 206 Protein: 2.7 grams Fat: 1.9 grams Carbs: 44.5 grams Fiber: 4.3 grams, 15% of the daily value (DV) Copper: 47% of the DV Manganese: 43% of the DV Vitamin B6: 25% of the DV Vitamin C: 24% of the DV Thiamine: 17% of the DV Folate: 15% of the DV Riboflavin: 11% of the DV Potassium: 11% of the DV Chestnuts are also a decent source of several other vitamins and minerals, including vitamins K, B5, and B3, as well as phosphorus and magnesium. Compared with most other nuts, chestnuts contain fewer calories because they are low in fat. They are also higher in carbs than most nuts and contain a good amount of fiber, providing 15% of your daily needs in one serving. 2. Great source of antioxidants Chestnuts contain a wide variety of antioxidants, which are important for your health. These antioxidants include: vitamin C gallic acid ellagic acid tannins alkaloids various polyphenols lutein zeaxanthin Lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the retinas of your eyes and protect them against damage from blue light. Antioxidants are compounds that help protect your cells against damage from unstable molecules called free radicals. High levels of free radicals may cause a state called oxidative stress. This can increase the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancers. In addition, studies have shown that various antioxidants found in chestnuts, such as gallic and ellagic acid, may help lower the risk of heart disease, reduce insulin resistance, and suppress the growth and spread of tumors. 3. May aid heart health Chestnuts are a good source of nutrients that are great for your heart. For starters, they contain antioxidants, such as gallic and ellagic acid. Studies have found that these antioxidants may help protect the heart against oxidative stress, a condition that may raise the risk of strokes and heart disease. Chestnuts are also a good source of potassium, providing 11% of your daily needs. Potassium is important for a healthy heart and helps regulate your blood pressure. In addition, research has found that consuming a potassium-rich diet may lower the risk of heart disease and strokes. 4. High in fiber Chestnuts are a good source of fiber, which has many health benefits. For one, fiber helps add bulk to your stools, which makes them easier to pass. In addition, the fiber in your diet reaches your colon largely undigested, where it acts as a prebiotic. This means the fiber becomes a source of nourishment for the healthy bacteria in your gut that ferment fiber. When gut bacteria ferment fiber, they produce various beneficial compounds, including short-chain fatty acids. These short-chain fatty acids offer numerous benefits. Studies have shown they may aid gut health, reduce inflammation, and improve blood sugar control. Lastly, because fiber passes through your body largely undigested, it contributes to feelings of fullness without adding calories to your diet. This may help with weight management. 5. May improve blood sugar control Maintaining your blood sugar at a healthy level is important for your health, but especially important if you have prediabetes or diabetes. Prolonged high blood sugar levels can raise the risk of health complications like damage to the blood vessels and organs. Chestnuts have several intriguing properties that may aid blood sugar control. Despite being higher in carbs than most nuts, chestnuts are a good source of fiber that can help prevent blood sugar spikes. In addition, research has shown that chestnut antioxidants, such as gallic and ellagic acid, help manage blood sugar levels and may improve insulin sensitivity, making your cells more responsive to insulin. However, chestnuts are still considered a higher carb nut. While eating a small to moderate quantity of chestnuts may offer these benefits, consuming too many chestnuts frequently may counter these health benefits. 6. May aid weight loss Chestnuts have several properties that may aid weight loss. The high proportion of fiber they contain can help you stay fuller for longer. This is because fiber can help slow down the time it takes for food to empty from the stomach into the intestines. In addition, research has shown that high fiber intake can increase the production of hormones that help curb your appetite, such as peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), while suppressing the hunger hormone ghrelin. Furthermore, chestnuts contain fewer calories per gram than most other nuts. This is because they are low in fat, which is the most calorie-dense nutrient. If you are looking to lose weight, you will need to create a calorie deficit to do so. Eating chestnuts may help you do this while also helping you feel full. Interestingly, one 2020 animal study found that consuming chestnuts may help reduce cholesterol and belly fat. However, more research is needed to investigate these potential effects. 7. May lower inflammation Inflammation is a natural process that helps the body heal and fight infections. In some situations, inflammation may persist at a low level. This is known as chronic inflammation and is linked to numerous chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancers. The antioxidants chestnuts contain, such as vitamin C, gallic acid, ellagic acid, and various polyphenols, may help reduce inflammation. They neutralize free radicals, which are key drivers of chronic inflammation. In addition, test-tube and animal studies have shown that chestnut antioxidants, such as tannins and flavonoids, can help suppress inflammatory signals like NF-κB and MAPK. 8. Potential anti-tumor properties Lab research suggests that the antioxidants found in chestnuts may help suppress the growth and spread of cancer cells and stimulate cancer cell death. Studies show that extracts from chestnuts suppressed the growth and spread of various types of cancer cells, such as prostate, breast, and colon cancers. Research on chestnut antioxidants has found that they may also suppress the spread of tumor cells and stimulate tumor cell death. In particular, ellagic acid targets the PI3K signaling pathway, which regulates cell growth and survival. However, more research is needed to understand how the compounds found in chestnuts may affect cancer cells in people. 9. Delicious and easy to add to your diet Not only are chestnuts healthy, but they are also delicious and easy to add to your diet. They have a mildly sweet flavor and soft yet firm texture. Although you can eat chestnuts raw, they are high in tannins, which may cause digestive issues or other complications in people sensitive to tannins. They are easy to prepare. You can roast them in the oven on a baking sheet for 20 to 30 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Make sure to pierce the nuts' skin before roasting to prevent them from exploding in the oven. Alternatively, you can boil the chestnuts in a pot of water. Bring the pot to boil and then lower the heat to allow them to simmer for approximately 30 minutes. Again, make sure to pierce the skin of the chestnuts beforehand. Once the chestnuts are cooked, their skin is easy to remove so you can enjoy them as a delicious snack. They are also incredibly versatile and you can incorporate them into salads, stuffings, soups, and desserts, such as tarts and pies. Takeaway Chestnuts are a popular nut that people enjoy around the world. They are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, copper, B vitamins, manganese, and various antioxidants, which are linked to numerous health benefits. Chestnuts and their nutrients may help improve heart health, blood sugar control, weight loss, inflammation, and digestive health, and may have potential anticancer properties.
