Inside Out Consult
03/23/2024
- JP Nagar 6th Phase Bangalore
- 090197 04252
Why do two people with similar genetic makeup experience mental health so differently? Modern research suggests the answer lies in epigenetics – the biological mechanisms that turn genes on or off based on our life experiences. In a bustling city like Bangalore and across India, many are discovering that your genes are not your destiny. Epigenetics empowers us to understand how factors like stress, nutrition, and environment can literally shape our mental well-being. This means your mental health treatment can be as unique as your own life story. Rather than a one-size-fits-all pill, integrative psychiatry uses epigenetics to personalize your treatment, offering new hope for those who felt stuck with conventional approaches.
Epigenetics refers to how your behaviors and environment can cause changes in the way your genes workcdc.gov. Think of your genes as a library of books (DNA) – epigenetics is like the bookmarks and highlights telling your body which chapters to read. Unlike permanent genetic mutations, epigenetic changes are reversiblecdc.gov. Life experiences such as nutrition, stress, trauma, and toxins add chemical tags to your DNA, effectively switching certain genes on or off. This influences which proteins and brain chemicals get produced. In mental health, these switches can affect mood-regulating genes. For example, chronic stress might dim the activity of genes that regulate stress hormones, leading to higher anxiety, while mindfulness practices could remove some of those “dimmer switches,” restoring balance. In short, epigenetics is the bridge between nature and nurture – showing how nurturing your body and mind can change even the expression of your nature (genes).
Mounting evidence links epigenetic changes to psychiatric conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Childhood trauma, for instance, can leave epigenetic “scars.” Studies show that serious stress early in life can alter gene expression and provoke mental illness laterpsychologytoday.com. Remarkably, some of these changes may even be passed to the next generation – an explanation for intergenerational traumapsychcentral.com. On the flip side, healing activities can also create positive epigenetic changes. Meditation, exercise, and healthy social connection have all been shown to adjust gene expression in ways that support brain healthbalancerehabclinic.combalancerehabclinic.com. This means that your lifestyle and therapeutic interventions can “rewrite” some of the negative marks stress has left on your genes. Epigenetics in psychiatry is essentially about reclaiming control: it underscores that your mental health is shaped not just by the genes you inherited, but by how you live and what you’ve lived through – and those are factors we can change for the better.
Conventional psychiatry has achieved a lot, but it often focuses on managing symptoms rather than understanding each patient’s unique biological story. In a typical practice, two patients with depression might get the same medication, even if the causes of their depression are completely different. This one-size-fits-all approach can lead to frustration:
Many patients cycle through multiple medications before finding relief. That’s because traditional care doesn’t account for individual differences like epigenetic profiles or metabolism. What works for one person might do nothing (or cause side effects) for another.
Standard psychiatry may overlook factors like chronic inflammation, gut health, or past trauma – all of which can leave epigenetic marks contributing to mental illness. For example, a conventional psychiatrist might not check if a patient’s diet or environmental toxin exposure is affecting their mood.
The goal is often to reduce symptoms quickly (which is important), but without addressing why those symptoms arose. If childhood abuse epigenetically rewired someone’s stress response, solely taking an anti-anxiety pill won’t undo that imprint. The result? Partial improvement at best, or recurrent issues.
Some patients end up on medications for life. While meds are vital for many, others wish for strategies to reduce dependency. Conventional models rarely provide alternatives, whereas an epigenetic and integrative approach explores whether lifestyle changes or nutritional therapies could stabilize someone enough to use lower doses of medication.
In India, many individuals also face stigma around taking psychiatric medication or may not respond to the limited options available. This is where an epigenetic perspective becomes valuable – it expands the menu of treatment possibilities by revealing underlying biological and environmental influences. The limitation of conventional psychiatry is not lack of care or effort; it’s that human beings are biologically complex, and mental health is influenced by more than just brain chemistry. Without considering epigenetics, treatment can feel like shooting in the dark.
Integrative psychiatry looks at each person holistically, including their epigenetic makeup, to tailor treatments. Instead of only asking “What’s wrong with you?” we ask “What has happened to you and your body?”. By understanding your unique epigenetic influences, doctors can design a plan that fits you. Here’s how:
An epigenetic-informed evaluation includes your nutrition, stress levels, sleep habits, exposure to toxins, and even family history of trauma. Each of these factors can leave epigenetic marks. For instance, long-term work stress might have switched on genes that promote inflammation (linked to depression). Knowing this, we can target stress reduction and anti-inflammatory strategies as part of your care.
Food is a powerful epigenetic signal. A diet high in refined sugars and processed foods can activate inflammatory genes, while a nutrient-rich diet can support healthy gene expression. At Arka Anugraha Hospital in Bangalore, functional nutrition is a cornerstone – meaning we use food as medicine. We might recommend omega-3 rich foods (or supplements) to help turn on brain-friendly genes, or more folate-rich greens to support proper DNA methylation (an important epigenetic process). Moreover, since gut bacteria can influence brain chemistry and gene expression, we emphasize microbiome optimization. This could include probiotic foods or psychobiotic supplements (probiotics specifically shown to improve mood) to send positive signals via the gut-brain axis.
Because emotional trauma can alter gene expression in stress-response systems, healing trauma can also help normalize those epigenetic changes. Limbic system retraining is one therapy we use at Arka – it’s like physiotherapy for the brain’s emotion center, training it to respond more calmly instead of being “stuck” in fight-or-flight. Alongside, practices like mindfulness meditation, yoga, and breathwork (such as our Usiru Holotropic Breathwork sessions) can gradually reduce the epigenetic imprint of stress. Amazingly, even psychotherapy has epigenetic effects: studies show cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can lead to changes in gene expression related to depressionbalancerehabclinic.com. In other words, working through negative thoughts can biologically turn down genes that were fueling those thoughts – a beautiful mind-body connection.
Sometimes, the environment around our genes lacks the raw materials for mental wellness. For example, low levels of vitamin B12 or D (common in Indians) can affect mood-regulating gene pathways. Through organic acids testing and other lab work, our integrative psychiatry team identifies such deficiencies or metabolic imbalances. Then we personalize supplementation – from high-grade nutraceuticals to IV nutrition for quick replenishment (like IV B12 for a patient with epigenetically influenced depression due to B12 deficiency). By correcting these, we create a biological environment where your genes can function optimally.
(like lead, mercury) and other toxins can attach epigenetic marks that disrupt brain function. In Bangalore’s urban environment, exposure can happen through pollution or certain foods. Integrative treatment may involve testing for heavy metals and guided heavy metal detoxification (using medically supervised chelation, supporting nutrients, and far infrared sauna sessions to sweat out toxins). The goal is to relieve your body of burdens that might be keeping healing genes switched off. Many patients report clearer thinking and improved mood after detox – likely because their brain and genes are no longer fighting against a toxic load.
Beyond lifestyle, nutrition, and detox, we have cutting-edge interventions. For example, peptide therapy is an emerging tool where we use small protein molecules to signal healing in the body – some peptides may encourage brain repair or reduce inflammation, essentially nudging gene expression toward a healthier state. While still new, such therapies are part of the arsenal at integrative centers like Arka. We also stay at the forefront of research, meaning if epigenetic testing panels or medications that target epigenetic enzymes (like HDAC inhibitors) become clinically useful, we aim to make them available to patients in India.
In essence, personalizing treatment through epigenetics means treating the individual, not the diagnosis. At Arka Anugraha Hospital’s Integrative Psychiatry department, we weave together modern science and traditional wisdom. A patient’s plan might include an antidepressant at a carefully adjusted dose plus dietary changes, gut-healing protocols, yoga sessions, and detox therapy – all chosen to address that patient’s unique epigenetic and biochemical profile. This approach recognizes that true mental wellness comes from aligning mind, body, and environment.
Understanding the benefits of breathwork is one thing; putting it into practice is another. Sometimes, people struggle initially because it feels “weird” or they’re not sure if they’re doing it right. That’s where guidance can help. At Arka Anugraha Hospital’s Integrative Psychiatry department in Bangalore, breathwork is woven into many of our programs and therapy sessions. Here’s how we incorporate and support patients with breathwork:
Our mind-body therapists and yoga instructors teach breathwork techniques one-on-one to patients. We tailor the choice of technique to the individual’s needs and preferences. For example, a patient with panic attacks might be taught elongated exhale breathing and grounding techniques, while someone with low energy and mild depression might benefit from more activating breaths in the morning and calming breaths at night.
We periodically hold guided breathwork classes or workshops, which can be very motivating. Group sessions could be gentle pranayama classes or more intensive sessions like Holotropic Breathwork for deep emotional release (we’ll talk more about holotropic breathwork in the next blog). Many participants find the group energy and facilitator guidance helps them go deeper into the practice than they can on their own.
Breathwork is a great adjunct to psychotherapy. We often begin therapy sessions with a minute of deep breathing to help the patient arrive in a calm, receptive state. For trauma-focused therapy, teaching breathwork is crucial so the patient has a tool to regulate themselves if they feel overwhelmed by emotions. It’s also used alongside treatments like biofeedback and neurofeedback, where patients can visually see how breathing slowly increases their heart rate variability, reinforcing the benefit in real-time.
Our integrative approach means we help you make breathwork a habit. This could mean writing a “breathing break” into your daily schedule, or pairing breath exercises with existing routines (e.g., 5 deep belly breaths every time you wash your hands or before meals). With repetition, what was once an unfamiliar exercise becomes second nature – a healthy reflex. We often remind our patients via follow-ups or even guided audio recordings we provide, to ensure they continue practicing at home.
One of our patients, Rajesh, a 45-year-old senior manager, initially scoffed at breathwork. He had severe job-related anxiety and hypertension. He said, “I have real problems, and you want me to breathe?” – we hear this sometimes! But after some coaxing, he gave it a try. We taught him simple belly breathing and 4-7-8 breathing to use at night. Within two weeks, Rajesh reported something remarkable: “I still have work pressure, but I don’t feel as panicky. I did that 4-7-8 thing before my presentation, and I was surprisingly composed.” Over a few months, his blood pressure also came down enough that his physician reduced his BP medication. Rajesh became one of breathwork’s biggest proponents, even teaching box breathing to his teenage daughter to help her cope with exam stress.
Another example is Latika, a 25-year-old who experienced frequent panic attacks. Medication gave her side effects and she wanted to avoid it. We focused intensely on breathwork and vagal nerve stimulation techniques. By practicing elongated exhales and humming breaths daily, she reconditioned her body’s panic response. A couple of months later, she was virtually panic-free. She told us, “The biggest change is I no longer fear the panic. I know I have the tools to control it, so it doesn’t control me.” This is what we strive for – giving patients tools to reclaim control over their minds and bodies.
Arka Anugraha Hospital in Bangalore is pioneering this epigenetic and integrative approach in psychiatry, making it one of the leading centers in India for personalized mental health care. We believe that healing happens from the roots up. What does this look like in practice?
When you come to our Integrative Psychiatry department, you undergo a thorough evaluation that might surprise you in its depth. Along with discussing your feelings and symptoms, we might explore:
We check physical factors that traditional psychiatry may ignore. Thyroid function, vitamin levels, inflammation markers, gut microbiome analyses – these tests often reveal treatable issues contributing to mental health symptoms. For example, one patient’s persistent anxiety turned out to be exacerbated by severe vitamin D deficiency and gut dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria). By treating those, her anxiety significantly eased without adding extra medications.
Instead of standard talk therapy alone, you have access to a range of therapies matched to your needs. If we find signs of past trauma driving epigenetic changes, you might benefit from EMDR or limbic retraining. If ruminating thoughts are a big factor, CBT or mindfulness-based therapy will be emphasized. Our team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, and functional medicine specialists working together so that therapy, medication, and lifestyle interventions go hand-in-hand.
We are not anti-medication – we prescribe when needed – but we strive for the lowest effective dose with the help of integrative methods. Many patients find that with improved diet, breathwork, and supplements, they feel stable on a lower dose of antidepressants or sometimes can taper under supervision. This is empowering for those who feared being “stuck” on pills for life.
Epigenetic states can change, so our approach is dynamic. As you heal, we adapt your plan. Maybe your depression lifts but now you want to work on cognitive enhancement – we could introduce neurofeedback therapy or nootropic supplements. Or if stress ramps up again due to life events, we might intensify mind-body practices or add a short course of therapy to prevent relapse. You’re treated as a whole person on a journey, not just a diagnosis on a prescription pad.
Crucially, integrative psychiatry at Arka is collaborative and educational. Our doctors spend time educating you on how and why each element of your plan helps. Many patients say this knowledge itself is healing – it gives them back a sense of control. In a country where mental health can carry stigma, this approach makes patients feel respected, heard, and actively involved in their healing. We also incorporate culturally familiar practices (like yoga, meditation, dietary spices with medicinal properties) alongside Western innovations, which resonates deeply with Indian patients. The result is a treatment experience that feels natural, personal, and hopeful.
Meet Radhika, a 32-year-old software professional in Bangalore. For years, Radhika struggled with depression. Antidepressants dulled her pain but brought side effects and never quite made her feel “like herself” again. She often wondered, “Is there something wrong with my genes? Will I be this way forever?” When she visited Arka Anugraha Hospital, our integrative team assured her that her genes were only part of the story – and that we could work on the rest of it together.
Through comprehensive testing, we discovered Radhika had extremely high cortisol (a stress hormone) likely from years of chronic work stress and a past traumatic incident in childhood. She also had a gut microbiome imbalance (low levels of beneficial bacteria) and low vitamin B12 and D. These factors were weighing down the expression of genes that normally help keep mood stable. Radhika’s personalized plan was multi-faceted: a tailored diet rich in B12 (and weekly IV B12 infusions to rapidly replenish her levels), a daily probiotic for her gut, and holotropic breathwork sessions to help release long-held stress. We also switched her antidepressant to a lower dose that better fit her metabolism, and introduced far infrared sauna once a week to help her detox and unwind physically.
After three months, Radhika reported something remarkable. “I wake up feeling light, as if a switch inside me has flipped on,” she said. Her energy improved, the fog in her mind lifted, and she found herself coping with work pressure in ways she never could before. By six months, under her psychiatrist’s guidance, she began tapering off her antidepressant. She was no longer just surviving; she was thriving – taking yoga classes, cooking nourishing meals, and even mentoring others about mental health. Radhika’s genes hadn’t changed, but how they were expressed in her body had transformed. Through integrative, epigenetic-focused care, she essentially ‘rewrote’ her mental health story.
Her journey is just one example of how looking deeper than symptoms – into the realm of epigenetics and root causes – can turn despair into hope.
Epigenetics in psychiatry is a game-changer. It tells us that our mental health is dynamic and can improve by changing our environment, habits, and thoughts. The limitations of conventional psychiatry are being bridged by this integrative approach that combines science with soul. If you’re seeking mental health treatment in Bangalore or anywhere in India and feel that traditional approaches haven’t fully helped, consider an epigenetic perspective. You have more control over your mental wellness than you might think.
Ready to take the next step in your mental wellness journey? We at Arka Anugraha Hospital’s Integrative Psychiatry department are here to listen and help craft a treatment as unique as you are.
Book a Free Discovery Call with our team today to explore how personalized, epigenetics-informed care can transform your mental health. Your path to healing can be deeply personal – let’s chart it together.
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