Is There Such a Thing as a “Couch Potato Gene”?

For some of us working out and being active is second nature. On the other hand, fo some of us nothing sounds better than a day on the couch binging on Netflix. Sure, vegging out is great in moderation, but we all know that you need to be active to be healthy. Is it possible that the same genes that make it easy for some people to be active are also able to make some of us lazier by nature?

In the following video, differences in genetic make-up are detailed that prove that laziness can be a genetic factor. Research has shown that mice that spent more time running on their little mouse wheels in their cages had a more highly developed dopamine system in their brains. Not only did those mice run more, their offspring did as well, up to 16 generations later. The mice that chose not to run had fundamental differences in their dopamine systems of their brains. In essence, the mice that naturally ran more, got a reward from it in their brains that the lazy mice didn’t.

The same can be said for human beings. People who are lazy by nature show a lack of a certain dopamine receptor that scientists believe is responsible for natural laziness. Sure, a lot of behaviors patterns like laziness are environmental, but if you have a genetic predisposition for it – laziness can be harder to overcome. That doesn’t mean that it is impossible.
Read: The 1-Minute Trick that Can Change Your Life and Help You Overcome Laziness

The following video outlines the science behind the “couch potato gene”, and how it works. Again, this isn’t an excuse to be lazy. If anything, this should serve as a reminder that although it seems impossible to get up and be active sometimes, there is nothing you can’t do with a little will power. It might be more difficult to become more active for certain people, but your body and your brain will reward you in the end.

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