Is COMT useful for longevity?

Whether COMT is useful for longevity is not well supported by current evidence. COMT encodes an enzyme that degrades catecholamines like dopamine and adrenaline. The common Val158Met variant (rs4680) alters enzyme activity: Met carriers have slower, Val carriers faster degradation. Studies link this variant to cognitive performance, stress resilience, and pain perception—factors that could indirectly affect healthspan. However, direct longevity studies (e.g., lifespan, centenarian cohorts) are limited and inconsistent. Some research suggests a possible role in cardiovascular health or neuroprotection, but effect sizes are small and population-specific. Consumer DNA tests often overstate the clinical utility, marketing COMT as a 'warrior vs. worrier' gene. In reality, COMT is not a robust longevity predictor; its influence is modulated by lifestyle, environment, and polygenic background. Evidence: mostly mechanistic and observational, not strong for longevity. Caution against overinterpretation from DTC tests.