The Executive's Guide to COMT: Are You a 'Warrior' or a 'Worrier'?

Let me describe two people and see which one sounds more like you. Person A handles deadlines brilliantly. When the pressure is on, they focus. They're decisive, energetic, and productive. But when the deadline passes, they crash. They struggle to switch off at night and replay conversations in their head. Person B is calmer on the surface. They don't get the same adrenaline rush from deadlines. They can be steady and methodical, but they sometimes lack the spark to get started.

If you identified with one of those more than the other, your genetics are showing. Specifically, the COMT gene. COMT (Catechol-O-Methyltransferase) is an enzyme that breaks down dopamine and adrenaline. A single letter change in your DNA determines whether this enzyme works fast or slow.

The Warrior (Fast COMT) breaks down stress chemicals very quickly. They are incredible in a crisis — high pressure brings their dopamine levels up to 'normal,' making them feel alive and focused. But in calm situations, they clear dopamine too fast. They might feel bored, unmotivated, or restless when things are quiet. They crave the next crisis just to feel engaged.

The Worrier (Slow COMT) breaks down stress chemicals slowly. They have higher baseline dopamine, giving them better attention to detail, complex problem-solving skills, and deep focus when the environment is calm. But under stress, dopamine and adrenaline build up too high. They get overwhelmed, anxious, or experience 'brain freeze.' They don't crash after the deadline; they crash during it.

Neither type is 'better.' They are just different instruments in the orchestra. But most executives try to play the wrong instrument. If you are a Warrior, you need 'healthy stress' to function — use deadlines and accountability, do sprints rather than steady marathons, and fuel with tyrosine-rich high-protein breakfasts. You can handle caffeine better because you clear it faster.

If you are a Worrier, you need to protect your 'buffer.' Front-load your work — do the hardest task in the morning before your stress bucket fills up. Avoid stacking deadlines. Avoid excessive caffeine; it lingers in your system and causes anxiety. Instead, use magnesium and L-theanine to help clear the backlog of excitatory chemicals. You need a quiet, distraction-free zone to access your genius. Open-plan offices are your kryptonite.

If you've spent your life thinking you are 'lazy' (Warrior without pressure) or 'anxious' (Worrier under pressure), let this be your permission slip to stop fighting your nature. When you understand your genetic blueprint, you stop blaming yourself for how you respond to stress. You start working with your wiring instead of against it.