Wired For Addiction™ is an international DNA company that looks at genetic variants linked to addiction and mood disorders. Utilizing their patent-pending custom genetic panel, they identify, isolate, and measure 85 biomarkers highly correlated to substance use disorders and mental health conditions.
Through Wired For Addiction’s remote sample collection process, patients are able to provide their specimen from the comfort of their home or treatment facility, thereby eliminating geographical and logistical barriers to care. Once the samples have been sent to the Wired For Addiction™ lab(s) via the prepaid postage contained in the kits, their DNA, neurotransmitters, and hormones are analyzed, interpreted, and configured into their unique Biomarker Evaluation Report. This report itemizes the results of their specimen, the clinical correlation associated with the findings, and the prescribed treatment protocol, if so desired.
In 2020, Wired For Addiction™ was engaged by a Minnesota treatment center working with a client suffering from a heroin addiction and co-occurring depression. The client was in her 4th treatment center at 18 years old, reported depression despite her mood stabilizing medications, and had a history of chronic relapse; her primary therapist opted for Wired For Addiction’s custom genetic pane to further inform her care plan.
Wired For Addiction™ shipped their patent-pending custom genetic test kit to the patient’s treatment center where the center’s primary therapist collected the patient’s sample under the supervision of the designated Wired For Addiction™ health technician. The test kit was sent back to the lab utilizing the prepaid shipping label in the kit and the results were analyzed and interpreted by the assigned Wired For Addition™ clinician who went on to create the patient’s Biomarker Evaluation Report and treatment protocol.
The assigned Wired For Addiction™ clinician, the treatment center’s Clinical Director, and the patient shared a virtual telehealth appointment to discuss the genetic findings, their correlation to the patient’s symptomatic expression, and the prescribed treatment protocol. The patient agreed to the Wired For Addiction™ treatment plan in conjunction with her facility’s existing therapeutic modalities, the prescriptions were sent electronically to be filled, and the care commenced.
After following the prescribed treatment protocol for 6 months and maintaining bi-weekly telehealth visits to ensure adherence to the protocol, the patient underwent a retest to evaluate the efficacy of her genetic-guided biochemical pathway support. As expected, the patient experienced improved sleep, focus, zest for life, emotional regulation, reduction of obsessive thoughts, balanced mood, and her objective biomarkers corroborated those symptomatic improvements.
The patient’s reference ranges for serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, norepinephrine/epinephrine ratio, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyrate, glycine, histamine, phenethylamine, and creatine were 60-125 µg/gCr, 125-175 µg/gCr, 35-45 µg/gCr, 8-11 µg/gCr, <13, 15-35 µmol/gCr, 1.5-4 µmol/gCr, 450-2200 µmol/g, 10-20 µg/gCr, 30-70 nmol/gCr, and 30-225 mg/dL respectively. DHEA saliva reference range is 200-400 pg/ml, cortisol salivia 2-4AM reference range is <1.0 ng/ml, 7AM is 7.0-10.0 ng/ml, 12PM 3.0-6.0 ng/ml, 5PM is 2.0-4.0 ng/ml, and 10PM is <1.5 ng/ml. Her results following 6 months of adherences to the Wired For Addiction™ prescribed treatment protocol were as follows: serotonin 166.7 µg/gCr, dopamine 268.3 µg/gCr, norepinephrine 35.6 µg/gCr, epinephrine 13.0 µg/gCr, norepinephrine / epinephrine ratio 6.2, glutamate 57.4 µmol/gCr, gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) 16.6 µmol/gCr, glycine 409 µmol/g, histamine 27.1 µg/gCr, phenethylamine (PEA) 193.7 nmol/gCr, creatinine 49.7 mg/dL, DHEA saliva 176.7 pg/ml, 10:30AM cortisol 2.2 ng/ml, 2PM cortisol 1.0 ng/ml, 5PM cortisol 0.6 ng/ml, and 10PM cortisol 0.3 ng/ml.
Seven of the 11 neurotransmitters and four of the four hormones measured in Wired For Addiction’s custom genetic panel were optimized. The 48 heterozygous and homozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms revealed in the panel such as, Dopamine Beta-Hydroxylase, Sodium-dependent serotonin transporter, Glutathione-disulfide reductase, Catechol-O-methyltransferase, and Monoamine oxidase A, were supported leading to optimized biochemical pathways thereby reducing the correlated aberrant behaviors. Through pharmacogenomic testing, it was revealed that three of her four previously prescribed medications were incompatible and ineffective based on her DNA.
The current empirical model for diagnosing and prescribing individuals suffering from a mental health condition or substance use disorder lacks continuity and compromises care. Wired For Addictions’ patent-pending genetic panel identifies, isolates, and measures specific biomarkers requiring optimization for mental health. By determining the precise biochemical pathway(s) requiring support and the level to which support is required is what yields measurable and experiential improvement.
