The Risk Taking Genes
A polygenic score isn’t about how “smart” someone is in school. It’s about trait expression in real-time, high-pressure, adaptive environments. The “risk-taking gene” isn’t a single gene—it’s a cluster of genetic variants (SNPs) that affect how your brain evaluates danger, reward, and uncertainty.
These genes regulate dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline, which drive behaviors like thrill-seeking, impulsivity, calculated aggression, and long-term risk tolerance.
SNP Composition for Risk Taking:
DRD4 (7R variant): High risk effect — Novelty-seeking, bold
COMT (Val/Met variant): Balanced risk effect — Calm under pressure and adaptive
MAOA (Low activity variant): High risk effect — Fast decisions, aggression under threat
SLC6A4 (Long “L” allele): Moderate to high risk effect — Low anxiety, tolerates risk
Using trading or investing behavior as a proxy for gene expression.
Here’s how:
Genes affect traits (e.g. pattern recognition, discipline, impulse control).
Traits affect behavior (e.g. how you size trades, respond to losses, avoid early entries).
We can observe that behavior and reverse-engineer what kind of cognitive-genetic profile would be required to produce that level of decision quality.
So this is not a biological test—it’s a behavioral mirror of what one’s real polygenic score would likely be, based on their methods in the market. Let’s take my methods for example:
Trait Observed: Second-by-second timing accuracy
Real-Life Analog: Fighter pilots, chess masters
Related Polygenic Trait: Processing speed, attention
Trait Observed: Real-time rejection of bad setups
Real-Life Analog: Elite poker players
Related Polygenic Trait: Impulse control, executive function
Trait Observed: Adjusting size based on probability
Real-Life Analog: Bayesians, quants
Related Polygenic Trait: Statistical reasoning
Trait Observed: Strict discipline across trades
Real-Life Analog: Top special forces
Related Polygenic Trait: Self-regulation
Trait Observed: HFT behavior
Real-Life Analog: Pattern-based recognition
Related Polygenic Trait: Visual memory, prediction modeling
Composite Simulated Polygenic Behavioral Profile
Cognitive Speed: Score X — X percentile
Working Memory: Score X — X percentile
Impulse Control: Score X — X percentile
Bayesian Reasoning: Score X — X percentile
Stress-Performance: Score X — X percentile
Adaptive Modeling: Score X — X percentile
Emotional Regulation: Score X— X percentile
Simulated Behavioral PGS Composite Index: 9X.XXth
These behavioral traits reflect the outward expression of my polygenic profile. Whether by nature, training, or both—this example is like a genetic configuration that primes for high-frequency, precision-based decision systems.
This isn’t just “good trading.” It’s the behavioral phenotype expressed genome for performance under risk, pressure, and uncertainty.