Understanding Genomics and Why It Matters

Genomics looks at your complete set of DNA: the biological code that influences the way your brain and body function. As Dr Nathan Wellington explains, it’s essentially “our ones and zeros… the code of our life.”

Your genetic makeup can influence:

• how your brain processes stress
• how neurotransmitters regulate mood
• how medications are metabolised
• inflammatory and hormonal pathways
• emotional sensitivity and resilience
• neural plasticity and recovery

Genes aren’t destiny. But they can offer important clues about why some people experience certain mental-health challenges — and why some treatments work better for some individuals than others.

Beyond Genetics: A Whole-Body Perspective

Genes create proteins. Proteins build structures. Those structures shape how the brain functions.

As Nathan notes, “The proteins create the structures in our body… our brains, the neurons that we have.”

This whole-body view matters. Mental health does not exist separately from physical health, it is deeply connected to it. When we combine genetics with brain imaging, EEG data, neurotransmitter patterns and lived experience, mental-health symptoms become easier to understand through a biological lens.

This is at the heart of precision-based care: understanding why someone feels the way they do, not just treating the surface-level symptoms.

Why Genomics Is Becoming Important Now

Advances in science have made it possible to understand mental health in ways that weren’t available even a decade ago. High-throughput sequencing, advanced neuroimaging, EEG brain-mapping and AI analysis are giving clinicians a clearer picture than ever before.

As Nathan explains, we now have tools “to analyse every part of our body… not just genomics, but imaging and neurotransmitters.”

This growing integration of biology and brain science means mental-health support is gradually shifting toward:

• more personalised pathways
• less trial-and-error
• earlier, more accurate insights
• better targeted treatments
• more compassionate, evidence-led care

It represents a meaningful step forward for people who have waited a long time for answers that make sense.

What Genomics Could Mean for Mental-Health Care in the Future

Once genomics becomes part of mainstream mental-health care, it could help clinicians:

• reduce guesswork around treatment
• identify likely responses and side-effect risks
• understand recurring symptoms in a deeper way
• build more accurate, personalised care plans
• support faster, more stable recovery

Nathan describes it as a future where we can “take away the trial and error” and help people “get better sooner.”

That’s not just scientific progress, it’s a more humane model of care.

Where Brain & Mind Hub Is Heading

We’re preparing to introduce genomics into our diagnostic framework in the near future as part of our commitment to precision-based mental healthcare. This approach looks at the whole person — biology, brain function, psychology and lived experience to build clearer, more personalised pathways of support. Genomics will join the integrated model we’re continuing to develop, which brings together EEG brain-mapping, psychology, psychiatry, lifestyle medicine and neuroscience-informed treatments, creating a truly whole-body approach to care.

This is the future of mental healthcare, whole-body, personalised and grounded in understanding the biology behind someone’s experience.

As Nathan shared: “I think that’s exciting.”

And we genuinely do.

Not just for the science, but for the people who deserve answers that feel clear, compassionate and tailored to them.