This week’s Better You, Backed by Science is about a fascinating genetic effect of being kind.
Did you know that you have kind genes?
They’re some of the oldest in the human genome. Scientists estimate they’re at least 100 million years old, although their roots go back much farther (around 700 million years).
What does this mean?
Two things:
1) We’re wired for kindness, and
2) We’re supposed to be kind.
In fact, when we consistently say and do harmful things we activate a genetic program that raises inflammation in the body.
It’s known as the CTRA program and it’s a group of 53 genes.
Our species evolved it millions of years ago to help us recover quickly from injuries.
Safety or Threat
If the brain perceives a threat, CTRA (Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity) dials up and inflammation increases.
Crucially, the brain perceives unkind behaviour as a threat – a threat in the sense that it upsets the harmony of groups.
The human species evolved in groups – behaviours that strengthened the group signalled safety, those that weakened it signalled threat.
It comes down to this. In the brain:
👉 Kind behaviour = strengthened groups = safety
👉 Unkind behaviour = weakened groups = threat
Indeed, studies show that kind behaviour reduces activity of the CTRA program.
A randomised controlled study at the University of California at Riverside and UCLA, for example, compared volunteers doing 12 acts of kindness over a month with others doing 12 things for themselves (self-kindness) and a control group who simply noted 12 events.
CTRA activity reduced only in those who did the 12 acts of kindness for others.
The broader result?
Inflammation reduced and natural antiviral activity was bolstered.
The antiviral bit is a pleasant side-effect of reduced CTRA activation. Its basis is that we’re more likely to connect with others when we feel safe, so the CTRA program bolsters antibody synthesis just in case those we connect with are carrying harmful viruses.
So what does all this mean for us?
It means kind is our nature.
It means that one of the simplest ways to support your overall wellbeing is to be as nature intended: kind.
Best you can.
Help each other. Support each other. Encourage each other. Look out for each other.
Think kindly of others. Communicate in kind and supportive ways.
It’s nature’s invitation. The reward is reduced CTRA activity.
Kindness is our inbuilt natural health tonic. It doesn’t cost anything and you don’t need to shop at a health food store to get it.
It’s in your genes.
Waiting for you to embody it in your own way.
Try This
1) Notice
Just notice kindness around you this week.
Notice it in the way people speak to each other, speak about each other, and treat each other.
Notice examples in your home, work, even in the community.
And if you feel so inspired, act on opportunities to help others if they present themselves.
Even in tiny ways. A few kind words. A show of encouragement or support. Checking in.
2) Just like me
If you feel annoyed, frustrated, or upset with someone (whether at home, work, or even if someone cuts in front of you in traffic), take a breath and silently say:
“Just like me, this person wants to be happy.”
“Just like me, this person has known hurt and sadness.”
“Just like me, this person is just doing the best they can, given all that’s gone before.”
References
Here’s the link to the kindness / reduced CTRA activity study.
Want to explore more on the subject?
If you want more on the neurological, biological, physiological, psychological, and overall wellbeing effects of kindness, I’ve compiled most of it in my books on kindness. Here’s a list of them and when they were published:
I’ve added the UK links just so I don’t present you with a load of links for different countries, but they’re available in most countries – at least on Amazon.
📘 Why Kindness is Good for You (2010). Link.
📖 The Five Side Effects of Kindness (2017). Link.
📚 The Little Book of Kindness (Illustrated, 2019). Link.
📒 The Joy of Actually Giving a F*ck (2024). Link.
More
Want to read more like this? Subscribe to my free Better You, Backed by Science weekly email (sends every Wednesday).