In recent years, there has been a lot of new research about Epigenetics’ role in how our DNA is expressed. Epigenetics refers to the mechanisms our bodies’ use to regulate and manage how a gene is made active (expressed) or inactive (silenced). Our Genes are like blueprints or instruction manuals that tell our cells what proteins and functional RNA to produce. Epigenetics does not change that genetic blueprint but regulates how the cells read the blueprint. And based on how the cells read that code or blueprint will determine how much it will tamp down or ramp up the construction of the protein associated with that gene. Think of Epigenetics as the knob on a faucet controlling the flow of proteins being synthesized.
To put this pragmatically, there have been several studies with identical twins that indicate that phenotype differences are a result of Epigenetics. Scientists have observed, for some time, that even though identical twins have the exact copy of genes, they still end up with physical trait differences. But how could it be that one identical twin can be taller than the other? Or be fatter or skinnier than the other? Have different skill sets and behaviors? Have different tastes and preferences? What is causing those differences if they are supposed to be identical?
The answer: Epigenetics. (if you want to read more about it you can go here)
So, at the moment of conception, while still in the womb, environmental factors begin working on our organism, influencing how our cells respond by using epigenetics to manage how the DNA is expressed or not expressed. And as we continue to live, environmental forces keep working on our bodies. These environmental forces are what we eat, what we drink, how much we sleep or don’t sleep, the diseases we get, or the chemicals we’re exposed to. All of these are changing how our Genes get expressed.
As a child, very little is in our control. But as we enter adulthood and gain autonomy, we do gain ownership over the choices we get to make. You still might not be able to choose if you’ll get exposed to diseases, or something like PFAS or nanoplastics, unfortunately. But other choices are within our control. Such as how much we exercise, if we smoke or drink, or if we have that extra slice of seven-layer cake. What epigenetics seems to point to is that everything you do with and to your body will, over time, start to determine what version of you will exist in the future. The simplest example is that if you choose not to exercise and eat poorly, in a fairly short time, there will be a less healthy version of yourself. If each day you choose to be consistent about exercising and limiting sugars, alcohol, and cigarettes, then a year from now, there should be (given no major illness) a healthier version of yourself.
You might be wondering how any of this ties into our understanding of our spirit.
Well, the tie-in depends on how we define spirit. If how you define spirit is based on the traditional monotheistic religions’ understanding of it as this ephemeral essence or vital essence that breathes life into the body and mind like a soul that resides separate from the body, then you probably won’t accept a connection to the physical processes within the body. But if you expand the definition of spirit to mean your fundamental, essential self, then the connection to genes and epigenetics becomes more attenable.
When we traditionally think about the spirit or soul, philosophies, and religions often describe it as the source of our individuality, affecting our consciousness, personality, emotions, and identity. And this soul, for lack of scientific understanding, is often thought of as a magical unseen force or energy, like a ghost. But what if those unseen forces shaping our individuality, our personality, and our consciousness are the interactions between genetics and epigenetics?
If genetics code the way your brain will process information and react to stimulus and epigenetics manages that expression of that coding this can then explain how our personalities, characteristics, and identities get shaped. Let’s take a tangible example, like the attribute of discipline. If every day you repeat a certain behavior, such as working out or learning a new instrument, soon that behavior starts getting ingrained in who you are. You develop this attribute to be disciplined. There have been studies that show that epigenetic processes within neurons are essential in the formation of behavioral memory. So through repetitive behavior, epigenetic mechanisms act on the neurons causing the imprinting of behavioral memory. (To learn more you can go here)
Let’s take another character trait as an example such as lying. Isn’t that a learned behavior? Every time you choose to lie it becomes easier and easier to lie. And soon lying becomes second nature. In time you may not even realize you are lying as it becomes your fundamental go-to behavior as it gets designed into your brain’s neural connections. In time, you will be a liar. Aren’t these developed behaviors or changes to personality a function of who you are on a fundamental level? And if the spirit is your fundamental self, then maybe the unseen force determining who we are is the relationship between genes and epigenetics.
Now, do I think it is completely impossible that our consciousness could be tied to some other unseen force that, for lack of scientific understanding, we refer to as our spirit or soul? No. There have been some fascinating theories coming out of the scientific community that propose that consciousness may, to some degree, work on a quantum level. (to be explored in a future article) However, even if we discover that part of our consciousness is the result of some quantum process, would that mean that the physical processes occurring within our body aren’t connected to the spirit? Probably not, either.
Consciousness may prove to be one of the greatest mysteries for us to solve. Part of the complexity in understanding it is that it doesn’t seem like we can fully explain how the mind codes information simply through chemical and electrical signals. Could part of consciousness be stored in epigenetic processes? Could consciousness on some level be a result of quantum mechanics? Perhaps, we’ll discover that it is a combination of all these mechanisms working together to create our consciousness. And maybe that is why we have this reoccurring theme of the connection between mind, body, and spirit across many Eastern and Western philosophies and religions.
It seems that even though our ancestors were not much better at explaining exactly what the spirit is than we are today, they did have some awareness that when you work on your mind and body, you are affecting your fundamental or essential self. And so, challenging oneself physically and mentally through exercise, meditation, martial arts, sports, reading, studying new languages, or taking up an art form, all of these actions done consistently over time will result in a different version of yourself in the future. And if you choose not to exercise, eat poorly, spend most of your time in front of a TV or on your phone following social media, or cheat, lie, or steal, these choices will also shape who you will become.
Regardless of whether you choose to think of your spirit as some unseen force or holy ghost, what is undeniable is that epigenetics affects how your Genes get expressed, effectively determining who you will be on a fundamental level in the future. And the power of that knowledge is that each of us has control over what version of ourselves we want to be in the future. And the choice of being the best version of yourself in the future starts with the choices you make today and every day forward. So, choose wisely.