Gene Testing for Mental Health: Comparing GeneSight and Genomind

Personalized medicine is rapidly changing how we approach mental health treatment. One of the most exciting tools in psychiatry is pharmacogenomic testing—tests that look at your DNA to help guide medication choices.

Two of the most widely used companies in the U.S. are GeneSight and Genomind. Both examine genes related to psychiatric medication response, and both provide reports to guide prescribing. But they differ in price, breadth of testing, and the number of genes analyzed.

Below is an overview of what each test includes.

Understanding the Science Behind These Tests

Pharmacokinetic (PK) Genes

These genes influence how your body metabolizes medication. Many psychiatric medications are processed in the liver, mainly through enzyme systems that vary from person to person. If your body metabolizes a drug too slowly, medication levels may build up and cause side effects; too quickly, and it may not work well.

Pharmacodynamic (PD) Genes

These genes provide information about how your body responds to medications.They can suggest whether someone is more or less likely to benefit from a medication—or if they are at higher risk for adverse effects.

GeneSight Psychotropic Test

Price: ~$330 without insuranceInsurance may reduce cost; financial assistance available

# of Genes Tested: 14 (plus optional MTHFR test)

PK Genes (Metabolism)

CYP genes (6 of the major drug-metabolizing enzymes):

• CYP1A2

• CYP2B6

• CYP2C9

• CYP2C19

• CYP2D6

• CYP3A4

  
  

These cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes help process medications, cholesterol, hormones, and nutrients. Gene variants can result in faster or slower drug breakdown, influencing medication dose needs.

UGT genes (liver enzymes that help the body eliminate drugs):

• UGT1A4

• UGT2B15

CES1A1

• Metabolizes drugs such as methylphenidate (Ritalin)

PD Genes (Response & side effects)

• ADRA2A: Helps predict ADHD stimulant response

• HTR2A: Linked to response to some antidepressants

• SLC6A4: Influences response to SSRIs

• HLA-A3101 & HLA-B1502: Identifies risk of severe skin reactions with certain mood stabilizers

• COMT: Dopamine breakdown, attention & cognition

Optional MTHFR Test

Determines whether someone converts folic acid efficiently into L-methylfolate, a key nutrient involved in producing serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

Genomind

Price: ~$599 without insurance (or $399 with insurance prepay)Insurance may reduce cost

# of Genes Tested: 27

Genomind analyzes all the same core genes GeneSight examines—but adds more information.

PK Genes (Metabolism)

CYP enzymes (7 tested)Includes all GeneSight enzymes plus CYP3A5, which metabolizes several medications, particularly in the intestines:

• CYP1A2

• CYP2B6

• CYP2C9

• CYP2C19

• CYP2D6

• CYP3A4

• CYP3A5

UGT enzymes

• UGT1A4

• UGT2B15

Additional metabolism genes

• ABCB1, ABCG2: Transport drugs in/out of cells; influence blood-brain barrier penetration

• SLCO1B1: Affects transport of medications into the liver

PD Genes (Response & risk prediction)

Antidepressant-related

• SLC6A4 (serotonin transporter)

• HTR2A (serotonin receptor)

• MTHFR (included automatically)

• BDNF: Related to neural plasticity and antidepressant response

ADHD-related

• ADRA2A

• COMT

Antipsychotic-related

• DRD2 (dopamine receptor)

• HTR2C (serotonin receptor; appetite/weight signaling)

• MC4R (regulates hunger)

Other clinically relevant genes

• ANK3 and CACNA1C (mood stability)

• GRIK1 (glutamate signaling)

• HLA-A & HLA-B (risk of severe skin reactions)

• OPRM1 (response to opioids)

Comparing the Two Tests

Feature	GeneSight	Genomind
Cost (no insurance)	~$330	~$599
Insurance/assistance	Yes	Yes
Genes tested	14 + optional MTHFR	27 (includes MTHFR)
CYP enzymes	6	7 (adds CYP3A5)
UGT enzymes	Yes	Yes
Extra metabolism genes	Fewer	Includes ABCB1, ABCG2, SLCO1B1
ADHD genes	ADRA2A, COMT	Same
Psychosis/mood genes	Minimal	Broader panel
Drug interaction tool for prescribers	No	Yes

Bottom Line

Both GeneSight and Genomind provide helpful genetic information that can guide psychiatric treatment.

• GeneSight offers a strong, clinically useful test at a lower cost.

• Genomind covers a broader range of genes and conditions, which may provide additional insights—particularly in complex cases or when multiple medications are being considered.

Neither test chooses your medication for you, but both can inform treatment decisions by helping clinicians: avoid trial-and-error, reduce side effects, estimate response likelihood and personalize doses.

These tests can be helpful—but they are also limited. Mental health and medication response involve many more genes than either test examines, as well as lifestyle factors, medical conditions, stress, trauma history, and more. In my experience, testing has been somewhat informative, but rarely the full answer. Some patients' results provide guidance, while others come back entirely “normal” and do not meaningfully change clinical decisions.

Genetics is just one tool—important, but far from the whole story.