When the Mind Feels Heavy but You Can’t Explain Why

October 16, 2025 pro Genome

A Malaysian Story for World Mental Health Day

Every year on October 10, we’re reminded of something invisible yet deeply real — mental health is not weakness; it’s part of being human.

But for many Malaysians, especially adults juggling work, family, and endless “shoulds,” mental health often becomes a quiet storm inside.

Meet Farah, 35, a teacher from Johor Bahru.
She wakes up exhausted even after sleeping eight hours. The smallest stress — traffic, school noise, unread messages — makes her heartbeat quicken.

When her doctor said, “Your blood tests are normal,” she forced a smile.
Inside, she wondered — if everything is normal, why do I feel like I’m breaking?

Mental Health Is Not Just in the Mind

Mental health is woven through our biology.
The way we handle stress, produce calming chemicals, and even crave comfort foods — all are partly guided by our genes.

Some people can face chaos and still stay calm. Others, with the same environment, feel easily drained or anxious. It’s not lack of willpower. It’s how their neurotransmitter and hormone pathways are wired.

COMT gene affects how fast your body breaks down dopamine — the “motivation and focus” chemical.
- Fast COMT? You may feel calm but struggle with focus.
- Slow COMT? You might feel driven but anxious.
OPRM1 influences how your brain processes reward and emotional pain. Variants here can make people more sensitive to emotional rejection or stress.
MTHFR, connected to folate metabolism, plays a role in how your body produces serotonin, the “feel-good” messenger that helps keep depression at bay.

These don’t label who you are — they explain why your stress response is uniquely yours.

How pro.Genome Brings Clarity to Confusion

The pro.Genome test brings together Pharmacogenomics (PGx) and Nutrigenomics (NGx) — giving Malaysians a complete view of how genes affect both mental well-being and medicine safety.

Within a single saliva test, it can help reveal:

Your stress-response pattern (via COMT, OPRM1, and other pathways).
How you process vitamins and nutrients critical for brain health — like B-vitamins, Vitamin D, Coenzyme Q10, and Omega-3.
How your body reacts to certain medications such as antidepressants or sleep aids (CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and related genes).

For people like Farah, this means knowing whether her constant fatigue comes from low dopamine clearance, poor folate conversion, or vitamin D deficiency — instead of guessing between coffee, supplements, or endless self-blame.

A Story of Understanding, Not Judgment

After taking the pro.Genome test, Farah learned that her MTHFR gene worked slower than average.

Her body wasn’t activating folate efficiently, leading to lower serotonin synthesis.
Her pharmacist guided her to a more bioavailable form of folate and omega-3, and her doctor adjusted her medication type accordingly.

Six weeks later, Farah shared quietly:

“The noise didn’t change. My world didn’t get easier.
But my energy came back… and so did my smile.”

That’s what mental health awareness should mean — less blame, more understanding.

How Genes Guide a Healthier Mind

Your genes don’t lock your fate — they light the path forward.

Understanding them helps you:

Choose the right supplements (like folate or vitamin D) instead of trial-and-error.
Recognize caffeine sensitivity, which can trigger anxiety in some.
Personalize exercise and sleep routines that fit your stress response type.
Discuss medication options safely with your doctor before starting any antidepressant or painkiller.

This is not just science — it’s self-care through knowledge.

The Malaysian Context

In Malaysia, stress is often silent. We say “tak apa, boleh tahan” even when we can’t.
But data shows rising anxiety and burnout, especially among young professionals and caregivers.

By combining awareness + genetic insight, we can turn stigma into strength — helping each person understand their emotional wiring and take action early.