How Pharmacogenetic Testing Can Personalize Your Mental Health Treatment
Understanding Why Medications Affect Everyone Differently
Have you ever wondered why a medication that helps one person’s depression or anxiety can make another person feel worse—or do nothing at all?
That’s where pharmacogenetic testing comes in. This type of testing looks at your DNA to understand how your body processes medications, helping your provider choose treatments that are more likely to work for you.
At Affordable Psych, we use this testing as a tool to make medication decisions safer, faster, and more effective—especially for patients who have tried multiple medications without good results.
What Is Pharmacogenetic Testing?
Pharmacogenetic testing (also called pharmacogenomic testing) is a simple cheek swab test that looks at specific genes involved in how your body:
Metabolizes medications (how quickly or slowly your body breaks them down)
Responds to medications (how well the medication binds to its target in the brain)
Handles side effects (how sensitive you may be to certain medications)
These genetic differences help explain why some people respond better to one antidepressant or stimulant, while others experience side effects or no benefit at all.
Why It Matters for Mental Health
Many psychiatric medications—like antidepressants, ADHD medications, or anti-anxiety medications—are processed by enzymes in the liver called CYP450 enzymes (especially CYP2D6 and CYP2C19).
If your body breaks down medication too slowly, you may experience side effects even at low doses.
If your body breaks it down too quickly, the medication might not reach a therapeutic level, and it may seem like it’s “not working.”
Pharmacogenetic testing helps your provider understand this before you start or change medications.
It’s especially useful if you’ve ever:
Tried several medications without success
Had strong side effects to low doses
Needed unusually high or low doses to get results
Felt anxious, restless, or sedated from medications others tolerate well
GeneSight vs. Genomind: What’s the Difference?
Two of the most well-known pharmacogenetic tests used in mental health are GeneSight and Genomind.
Both provide valuable information, but they differ in what they analyze and how the results are presented.
🧬 GeneSight Psychotropic Test
What it tests:
GeneSight looks at 64 medications commonly used for depression, anxiety, ADHD, and mood disorders, and analyzes how your genes may affect your response to them.
It focuses on 12 key genes related to drug metabolism and response, including:
CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP1A2, CYP3A4 (drug metabolism)
SLC6A4 (serotonin transporter)
HTR2A (serotonin receptor)
COMT (dopamine metabolism)
How it’s reported:
Your medications are grouped into color-coded categories:
Green: Use as directed
Yellow: Use with caution
Red: Use with increased caution and more frequent monitoring
This makes it very easy to interpret for both patients and providers.
Genomind Professional PGx Express
What it tests:
Genomind analyzes 24 genes that influence both psychiatric medications and overall brain function.
In addition to CYP enzymes, it includes genes that affect inflammation, dopamine signaling, folate metabolism (MTHFR), and even glutamate activity.
This test covers a broader biological picture, including genes that may help explain mood instability, focus issues, or chronic stress sensitivity.
How the Results Help Your Treatment
Pharmacogenetic testing does not diagnose conditions or replace clinical judgment—but it gives your provider valuable insights that can improve outcomes.
Here’s what the results can help guide:
Choosing medications that fit your unique metabolism
Avoiding drugs that are more likely to cause side effects
Adjusting starting doses safely
Identifying nutrient or methylation issues (like MTHFR variants)
Understanding why certain medications may not have worked in the past
For many patients, this means fewer medication trials, fewer side effects, and faster progress toward feeling better.
How the Process Works at Affordable Psych
Order the test: Your provider orders GeneSight or Genomind during your appointment.
Cheek swab: A quick, painless swab is mailed directly to your home with a paid return envelope.
Results: The lab processes your sample (usually in 5–7 days).
Review: Your provider reviews the results with you, explains what they mean, and integrates the information into your personalized treatment plan.
Why This Matters for You
Pharmacogenetic testing is about precision.
Instead of guessing which medication might help, your treatment becomes data-driven—tailored to your body’s unique chemistry.
This can save months of trial and error, reduce side effects, and improve how you respond to treatment.
At Affordable Psych, we believe that understanding your biology is key to restoring balance—mind and body.
