Genomic testing is an important tool within a functional and integrative model of psychiatric care. Genetic results provide helpful clues, but they do not determine your future or limit your treatment options. Genes influence our biology, but many other factors shape our destiny. These include environmental factors, sleep, nutrition, stress levels, past experiences, current health conditions, and even other genes that weren’t tested.

The tests we use are very different from direct-to-consumer genetic tests (such as 23andMe). Clinical genomic tests such as Genomind and Intellxx DNA must be ordered by a licensed medical professional and are designed to be interpreted in a clinical context, alongside a patient’s symptoms and history.

We offer two different types of genomic testing services, and it’s important to understand that these tests are not the same. Each test examines different aspects of your genomic profile and informs treatment in different ways.

Genomic testing options include:

• Genomind: Recommended when someone is taking multiple medications, when there are concerns about liver strain, or when there is a history of side effects to various medications.
• Intellxx DNA: Ideal for someone who is interested in investigating the root causes of their medical/psychiatric conditions. Useful when the goal is prevention. Worthwhile considering if you are looking to reduce reliance on prescription pharmaceuticals.

Both tests (in their own ways) have the potential to be enormously impactful when someone has failed to respond to multiple treatment interventions or has refractory, longstanding symptoms.

Genomind testing primarily focuses on genes that affect how your body metabolizes medications. Intellxx DNA takes a broader look into genes that influence nutrition, metabolism, detoxification, and overall wellness.

Since Genomind and IntelliX DNA focus on different aspects of your genetics, with minimal overlap, patients may choose one or both depending on their goals. In a perfect world, patients would have access to both tests.

You may consider starting with one test and revisiting the other later on. These tests do require an out-of-pocket cost. Also, with a conservative treatment approach, there is only so much we can address at one time.

The Genomind Test

Genomind is a genetic testing kit that can help us guide medication management with greater precision. The results of this test will indicate how your body may metabolize certain medications, especially those used for mental health conditions. It examines specific genes involved in drug detoxification and provides clues about which drug interactions may cause side effects.

Importantly, this test does not tell us which medications will “work” for you. Someone may have the absolute most beautiful pharmacokinetic profile for a drug that does nothing to alleviate their psychiatric symptoms. Similarly, one might find significant benefit from a medication they metabolize somewhat poorly (and still tolerate it at a low dose without significant side-effect burden).

While the test doesn’t capture all the factors that affect how a drug works, it still provides useful information to guide safe treatment. Adverse drug reactions and interactions are a significant cause of harm in the United States. Studies estimate that thousands of hospitalizations and deaths occur annually from severe adverse drug reactions/interactions.

Interactions between multiple drugs can increase the likelihood of unintended side effects. Other factors that increase the risk for drug toxicity and interactions include: high doses of medications, advanced age, liver or kidney dysfunction, supplements and herbal products, and chronic illnesses. Common substances like cannabis can significantly increase the risk for drug-related interactions or toxicity.

One crucial advantage of a Genomind test is that it generates a dynamic profile for each patient, enabling clinicians to continuously evaluate risk. This means that as your medications change over time, we can use the platform to monitor your safety, adjust dosing, and minimize your risk of side effects.

Another important feature of the GenoMind test is its collaborative model. GenoMind providers have access to a team of PharmDs (doctors of pharmacy) specializing in pharmacogenomics. This allows your provider to review your results and discuss your case with experts in the field.

How it Works

If you would like to move forward with Genomind testing, please let your provider know. We order Genomind kits through DHA Labs because we have found their pricing to be the most transparent.

The price of a Genomind kit is $422 through DHA Labs, which is comparable to what you would pay with insurance reimbursement.

Once you receive your kit, you will follow the instructions included within. A cheek swab is required. It is painless and straightforward. Your kit will contain postage for return shipment.

Once the lab receives your sample, it will process the results within five business days. You and your provider will each receive reports. Afterward, we will meet to discuss the results.

The Intellxx DNA Test

IntellxxDNA offers a multitude of panels designed to assess genetic patterns that influence multiple biological systems. Rather than focusing primarily on medication metabolism, this test examines genetic patterns that influence inflammation, neurotransmitter balance, nutrient requirements, detoxification, immune signaling, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and cardiometabolic risk.

One of the most powerful aspects of Intellxx DNA is its ability to surface information that no other test can provide. As a brief example, let’s consider an individual struggling with brain fog. Conventional workup and functional tests might be normal, and environmental toxin testing may be unremarkable. Their Intellxx report may reveal a deletion in a gene responsible for helping the body clear toxins. Without genomic testing, this important mechanism driving disease remains invisible.

Intellxx DNA is especially useful for individuals who want to better understand the root contributors to their psychiatric or medical symptoms, rather than focusing solely on symptom management. It can be particularly informative when the goal is prevention, long-term wellness, or reducing reliance on prescription medications (when clinically appropriate).

IntellxxDNA does not diagnose disease or predict with certainty whether you will develop a particular condition. Instead, it identifies genetic tendencies and vulnerabilities that may increase susceptibility under certain conditions. These tendencies can often be modified through targeted lifestyle changes, nutrition, supplements, stress management, and carefully selected medications.

Test Offerings

Intellxx DNA testing is more comprehensive and therefore more expensive. The test offerings are customizable, allowing individuals and their providers to choose from one or multiple reports that assess different biological pathways. Together, we can decide which panel(s) are most appropriate for your goals and clinical needs. The total price depends on how many reports are selected.

The reports are organized by biological focus, but certain genes are reviewed across multiple groups due to the interconnected nature of physiological systems. Pricing reflects this structure, so when multiple reports are selected, the price per report decreases.

For example, if you select the Mental Wellness report, the price of the Cognition and Memory report drops from $900 to $550, bringing the total to $1,450. When selecting the Mental Wellness report, the price of the Medical Overview report drops to $350, and the Women’s Health report drops to $550.

Here is an overview of the offerings we may consider:

(Pricing if only 1 report is selected)

**Mental Wellness: 22 panels, $900**

For individuals who want to better understand how genetics may influence mental and emotional health. Explores pathways related to sustained focus, stress resilience, anxiety, mood regulation, addiction, and obsessive tendencies. Also includes foundational panels related to gut health, inflammation, detoxification, and nutrient metabolism.

*Cognition & Memory*: 21 panels, $900

Designed for patients concerned with cognitive performance and long-term brain health. Examines genetic pathways related to inflammation, amyloid processing, hormones, nutrient metabolism, and detoxification. Emphasizes potentially modifiable contributors to cognitive decline.

Medical Overview: 21 panels, $700

Provides a foundational look at genetic influences on systemic health. Including pathways that modify conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Also, explores risk factors for immune system dysfunction and food sensitivities.

Women’s Health: 21 panels, $900

Focused on genetic contributors to women’s reproductive, hormonal, and metabolic health from adolescence through perimenopause. Includes pathways related to fertility, hormone signaling, PCOS, endometriosis, clotting risk, vasomotor symptoms, metabolic health, and bone density. Useful for both symptom evaluation and prevention-focused care.

How it Works

Take some time to consider which report options best fit your health goals and your budget. In most cases, we recommend the full Mental Wellness report. When there are concerns about attention, focus, or executive functioning, it’s a good idea to add on the Cognition & Memory report. That said, we can absolutely discuss a flexible plan that aligns with your priorities and keeps costs manageable.

Once you decide how you’d like to proceed, the test is ordered during an appointment time. Because the platform is set up this way, payment is processed at the time of the visit, so please come prepared with your credit card or HSA/FSA card information.

Once the test is ordered, a kit is shipped to you. You’ll collect a cheek swab at home and ship your sample to the lab. When results are ready, you will meet with your provider, and the results will be released.

These reports are intentionally extensive, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed at first. Turning your results into meaningful change is a gradual process. With the goal of medication minimalism, we will move thoughtfully to track what is helping and ensure good tolerability.

The information from this testing can serve as a foundational guide for a gradual, personalized process to optimize your health over time.