Journal of Depression and Anxiety
Open Access

Abstract

A Gene x Meme x Environment Interaction Model of Mental Illness

Hoyle Leigh

Background/Aims: Memes, like genes, are replicating packets of information. Genes make proteins, memes make thoughts and behaviors. Memes are memory that became portable in the course of evolution through speech and written words.

Methods: Memes consist of both memory formed by experience and information the brain absorbs. Memes reside as reinforced neural clusters in the brain, and undergo Darwinian natural selection. Genes do not interact with environment directly, but through memes.

Results: In vulnerable individuals, childhood stress may introduce pathogenic memes (e.g. helplessness) that take up residence in the brain. Exposure to stress memes in adulthood may induce a brain state favorable to the proliferation of resident pathogenic memes, which then may overwhelm the brain, resulting in a mental illness. Treatment of mental illness should be both biologic (gene-oriented) and memetic, i.e., detoxifying and neutralizing the toxic memes. Psychotherapies may be meme-specific (e.g., cognitive-behavioral) or broad-spectrum anti-meme therapies (e.g. relaxation, meditation).

Conclusion: The concept of gene x meme x environment interaction opens up avenues for further development of both gene and meme-oriented therapies including the use of music, exercise, and virtual reality, etc. It also puts into perspective the role of early nurturance and the teaching of critical thinking in the prevention of mental illness.