DNA tests are not that easy to interpret unless you have genetics training, so we do advise you select a support package option. With our video call or written report packages, our team reviews each report and compares this against the personal information you have provided at checkout regarding your current health, diet and supplement / medicine intake. All patients will receive a lab report.

All lab reports include:

• personalised, colour coded genotype results
• gene function and SNP impact descriptions
• clinically relevant SNPs
• nutrient and other epigenetic impacts
• links to research evidence

In addition to your lab report we provide the following options which are INCLUDED in your original price:

A) Follow up 30 minute video call to discuss your results and answer any questions you have. Once the labs have completed your DNA results you will be sent a link to book a time and day online. Advice will be given on supplements and lifestyle support. After your call you are sent a short email with supplements your practitioner advises with links to purchase.

OR

B) Follow up written report explaining your variants and highlighting dietary and lifestyle advice and links to supplement suggestions included. We do not provide an example of this report as it is personalised to each patient but it usually runs to 3 pages of detailed actionable advice.

OR

C) Both zoom call and written summary with personalised next steps (Zoom call is first and written report follows).

Every patient will get a colour coded lab report—your choice is how to receive your personalised interpretation of this report. You have a choice of a video call or a written summary or both.

The video call is ideal if you want your results faster or if you are new to DNA testing. It also allows you to ask your practitioner questions about your variants. Please check at the start of your call if your practitioner is happy for you to record your Zoom session. Usually if you confirm this will not be used on social media / uploaded to public forums etc, then this is allowed for your private use (please note zoom links last 2 weeks so please make sure you download and save locally). You will get a short email after your call with supplement links your practitioner recommends.

The written summary is better for those who want a full written explanation of their variants and links to supplement suggestions. Some patients feel more comfortable with a written interpretation but essentially both options will give you the same information just in different formats.

The test is a simple, non-invasive oral sample (cheek swab). The only requirement is to abstain from eating/drinking for at least 1 hour before testing. The sample is placed in a tube with a stabilising capsule and returned with a signed consent form. Please use our details under ‘practitioner’ on the lab form.

There are no special storage or transport requirements and you can return any day. Each test kit is supplied with a return envelope which is prepaid for returns from within the UK and can be simply dropped into a post box. It is rare but some samples do fail laboratory standards if you do not extract enough DNA onto the mouth swab. You can take this test at any time of day, there is no need to stop taking medications or supplements with this test.

The most common reason for sample fails is patients forgetting to include the stabilising capsule included in your kit or not returning the consent form. Please DO NOT open the contents of the stabilising capsule, include it whole. Please ensure you do not eat, drink or smoke for 1 hour prior to taking test. In the event your test fails laboratory standards you will receive 1 free replacement kit. UK orders are re-posted at no additional charge however international orders will need to pay additional delivery charges for failed tests—see below.

Every human has a slightly different genetic makeup. We inherit our gene variants from both parents so although you may have similar genes to your child you will not have identical gene mutations. Our genes are the same from the moment we are born so you only ever need to do this test once in your lifetime and you will have the data on your gene variants for life.

The returns package provided has a freepost address on it so if you live in the UK you can simply pop your sample into any postbox for free returns. We do recognise that some patients prefer to send samples recorded / special delivery for peace of mind. If you choose this option, you will need to use a different address to return your sample: Lifecode Gx, c/o WeWork, Unit 1 Provost & East Building, 145 City Road, London, EC1V 1AZ

Orders OUTSIDE UK - Yes we can now ship this test overseas to selected countries. Please select your country at checkout. If you want to order multiple DNA tests for friends or family we can package these together so you only pay one shipping cost. We use Royal Mail, UPS or DHL for other countries, deliveries usually arrive with patients in 3–6 days.

The test kits (swab and stabilising capsule) are declared as “no commercial value” and usually (90% of the time) do not require customs import fees. However, some destination country customs agents may decide to apply charges, and this is beyond our control and beyond the control of the courier. Usually this fee is around 17 Euro but can vary. In the unlikely event this happens, your courier will notify you if an import fee is due before delivering to you.

We provide approved packaging for the return of the sample, but you are responsible for arranging and paying for return postage. The return package is low weight and does not require any special control. Please return your sample via tracked / courier service to the labs directly: Lifecode Gx, c/o WeWork, Unit 1 Provost & East Building, 145 City Road, London, EC1V 1AZ, United Kingdom.

For international orders we include 2 swabs per patient so please ensure each patient does 2 swabs. This makes a ‘test failure’ at the laboratory much more unlikely, however in the very rare case that both swabs fail please ensure you note our returns / refund policy.

All reports are provided in English. Unfortunately we are unable to ship to Canada, Nigeria, Spain, Taiwan or Zimbabwe at this time for export reasons. If you live in a country we do not ship to currently then please contact us and we will try to accommodate your request.

As blood tests in the UK can be obtained for free under the NHS we don’t include this as a package price. General blood tests are not necessary but if you are concerned about your current health or have not had a general blood test in some time you may prefer to speak to your GP or we can offer a private full blood test HERE - this is for UK residents only and involves having a nurse come to your home to take your sample. Patients must be over 18 years old for this test. Results are provided separately to your DNA reports.

We offer a huge range of testing so when a member of our genetics team is assigned to review your results they may feel you would benefit from other specific testing such as genetic age testing, hormones ( cortisol, testosterone / estrogen levels etc), microbiome gut analysis, food intolerance, amino acids & homocysteine or mould / toxin testing. If any additional testing is required, this will be advised in your zoom call / written plan. *Note if you are adding multiple tests to your basket you only need to complete the patient form once.

As long as cheek swabs are stored in the tube provided in the buccal swab kit, samples remain viable for up to 6 months.

Lifecode Gx are the labs we use in the UK to process your cheek cells as the sample type. They are an ISO certified UK laboratory and only do DNA testing, making them specialists in this area. This genotyping methodology has an accuracy rate of at least 99.9%.

The benefits being that cheek swab DNA collection is convenient and painless to collect, and samples are easily transportable and stable. The quality of DNA collected is as good as, and the results as accurate as, from blood or saliva. Your DNA is fixed at birth so this test is suitable at any age and you only ever need to do this test once in your lifetime. Cheek cell DNA samples are 99.9% accurate—blood has a very similar accuracy rate, so whether you choose to have a blood DNA test or use our cheek cell DNA test the results will be the same.

No. As we're testing the genetic code, which is fixed, the test is not impacted by illness, infections, medication, the food you eat, or supplements you take. To avoid contamination of the sample, please abstain from eating / drinking for at least 1 hour before testing. Continue taking all your prescription medications and supplements as normal but please note them on your patient form at checkout.

Once you have ordered via our website you will receive an email notification when your kit has been shipped to you via Royal Mail 1st Class service for UK (courier for international orders). Please allow 3 working days for your kit to arrive. You can then freepost your sample back to the labs via Royal Mail 1st class prepaid envelope (note international orders are not free post).

We will then email you to let you know your sample has been safely received at the labs and your genotyping has started. From the labs receiving your sample to you receiving your results is approx 3 weeks.

You will not hear from us during the time your sample is being processed unless there is an issue with your sample.

Each test is processed in the ISO certified UK laboratory and all physical samples are completely destroyed after 3 months. All client genotyping electronic data is completely destroyed after 6 months. The client report, the data and the DNA sample is never (and will never be) shared with, or sold to third parties.

The Nervous System report covers seven neurotransmitter pathways. The full gene list for each pathway is:

• Serotonin — ALDH2, HTR1A, HTR2A, MAOA, MTHFR, SLC18A1 (VMAT), VDR, TPH1, TPH2
• Kynurenic Acid — FKBP5, IFNG, TNF
• Melatonin — ASMT, MTNR1B
• Dopamine — ALDH2, COMT, DRD2, MAOB, MAOA, MTHFR, OPRM1, SLC6A3 (DAT), TH, VDR
• Adrenergic (noradrenaline and adrenaline) — ADRB2, COMT, DBH, MAOA, PNMT, SLC6A2 (NET), SLC18A1 (VMAT)
• GABA — ALPL, GAD1, GAD2, GABRA2
• Cannabinoid — CNR1, TRPV1, FAAH

Several genes — including COMT, MAOA, MTHFR, and VDR — appear in more than one pathway because they influence the metabolism or recycling of multiple neurotransmitters. Understanding where these overlaps occur helps practitioners identify which areas of brain chemistry are most affected by your genetic profile.

This test is designed for anyone — at any age — who wants to understand the genetic factors behind their emotional and cognitive health. It is particularly relevant if you experience:

• Persistent low mood, depression, or mood swings that have not fully responded to conventional treatment
• Chronic anxiety or an overactive stress response
• Sleep difficulties linked to melatonin production or regulation
• Symptoms associated with ADHD, ADD, or difficulties with focus and attention
• Obsessive compulsive tendencies or repetitive thought patterns
• Addictive behaviours, impulsivity, or difficulty with reward regulation
• Anger, aggression, restlessness, or emotional volatility
• A family history of mental health conditions where you want to understand inherited risk

Because DNA is fixed from birth, the test can be taken at any age and the results remain valid for life. Parents sometimes order it for children showing early signs of emotional or behavioural difficulty.

No — a DNA test cannot diagnose any mental health condition. Conditions such as ADHD, depression, and anxiety arise from a combination of genetic predisposition, environment, lifestyle, and life experiences. What this test does is identify specific gene variants that affect neurotransmitter pathways linked to these conditions — for example, dopamine receptor and transporter genes relevant to ADHD, or serotonin synthesis genes relevant to depression. This information helps practitioners understand which nutritional cofactors and lifestyle strategies may best support your individual brain chemistry, but it does not replace a clinical diagnosis from a qualified mental health professional.

The Nervous System DNA Test and a Comprehensive Neurotransmitter Profile (urine test) answer different but complementary questions. The DNA test reveals your fixed genetic blueprint — how your genes are programmed to produce, transport, and break down neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. A urinary neurotransmitter test, by contrast, measures actual neurotransmitter metabolite levels at a single point in time, reflecting what is happening in your body right now. Ideally we recommend both tests together: the DNA test to understand underlying genetic tendencies, and the urine test to see how those tendencies are expressing themselves given your current diet, stress levels, and supplement intake.

Yes — the test includes the melatonin pathway, specifically the ASMT and MTNR1B gene variants. ASMT is involved in converting serotonin into melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep–wake cycle, while MTNR1B encodes part of the melatonin receptor and influences how your body responds to melatonin signalling. If your results show variants that reduce melatonin production or receptor sensitivity, our practitioners can recommend targeted nutritional cofactors and lifestyle adjustments — such as optimising vitamin D, B6, or magnesium status and managing light exposure — to support better sleep quality. For a broader investigation of stress and cortisol patterns that may also disrupt sleep, we offer the DUTCH Adrenal Stress Test.

COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) and MAOA (monoamine oxidase A) are two of the most clinically significant genes in this report because they influence the breakdown of several neurotransmitters simultaneously. COMT is responsible for metabolising dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline — variants that slow COMT activity can lead to higher levels of these neurotransmitters, which may present as heightened stress sensitivity, anxiety, or difficulty switching off. MAOA breaks down serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline, and variants here can affect mood stability, impulsivity, and emotional reactivity. Because both genes appear across multiple pathways in the report, even a single variant in COMT or MAOA can have wide-ranging effects on brain chemistry, which is why our practitioners pay close attention to these results when building a personalised support plan.

Yes. Because the test analyses your fixed DNA rather than fluctuating blood or hormone levels, pregnancy and breastfeeding do not affect the results in any way. The simple cheek swab collection method is completely non-invasive and safe at any stage. However, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please notify us in your patient intake form as not all supplements are suitable during pregnancy or lactation.

Lifecode GX offers a range of DNA reports that examine different aspects of health. The Nervous System report focuses specifically on neurotransmitter pathways and emotional health, but certain gene variants — particularly MTHFR, COMT, and VDR — also appear in other reports because they affect methylation, detoxification, and nutrient metabolism more broadly. If your Nervous System results highlight methylation-related variants, our practitioners may suggest adding a Methylation DNA Test for a more complete picture. Similarly, if stress and cortisol patterns are a concern, combining this genetic test with the DUTCH Adrenal Stress Test or a Comprehensive Neurotransmitter Profile can show how your genetic predispositions are expressing in real-time biochemistry.