If you’ve ever wondered “Was I born this way?” or “Why do I seem to feel everything more deeply than other people?” — you’re not alone. Many Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) eventually start asking whether their sensitivity is something they learned… or something they were wired with from the start.
Research suggests the answer is: both.
Highly Sensitive People have nervous systems that process information more deeply and respond more strongly to stimulation — and a growing body of research indicates that genetics play a meaningful role in this trait.
What the Research Says About HSP Genetics
Studies on sensory processing sensitivity (the trait underlying being an HSP) suggest that roughly 50% of sensitivity is heritable, meaning genetics account for about half of why someone is highly sensitive. The other half is shaped by environment, relationships, and life experiences.
Several genetic systems have been linked to high sensitivity, including:
The Serotonin Transporter Gene (5-HTTLPR)
One of the most well-studied connections involves variations of the serotonin transporter gene, which affects how efficiently serotonin is moved through the brain. Certain versions (short alleles)
of this gene are associated with:
Deeper emotional processing
Stronger reactions to stress
Heightened awareness of social and emotional cues
These same variants are more common in people who score high on measures of sensitivity.
Dopamine-Related Genes
Research has also found links between dopamine-regulating genes and high sensitivity. Dopamine plays a key role in:
Motivation and reward
Novelty-seeking
Sensitivity to stimulation
Some studies suggest that multiple dopamine-related genes (often cited as around 8–10) may be associated with heightened responsiveness to the environment — which fits closely with the HSP experience of being easily overstimulated but deeply engaged by meaningful input.
Norepinephrine and Emotional Vividness
Norepinephrine helps regulate alertness, arousal, and emotional intensity. Certain genetic variations in this system are associated with what researchers sometimes call the “emotional vividness” gene. In Highly Sensitive People, this can mean that emotions feel stronger, more nuanced, and more immediate.
HSPs often notice subtle emotional shifts, environmental changes, or relational cues that others miss — and those inputs tend to land with greater emotional impact. This isn’t overreacting; it’s a nervous system that assigns meaning more quickly and deeply.
This same sensitivity helps explain differential susceptibility — why HSPs may struggle more in overwhelming or invalidating environments, but also thrive and heal more fully in supportive, attuned ones.
The Real Question: Is It My Fault?
Underneath all the genetics talk, most people are really asking something else entirely:
“Is this my fault?”
You might be wondering:
When you get in a fight with your partner about “something small”— You might ask yourself am I too sensitive or is my partner not sensitive enough?
If your child reacts intensely, should they toughen up — or should the world adapt to them?
If you struggle with overwhelm, exhaustion, or emotional flooding, is that something you need to fix about yourself?
It’s completely human to want an answer to these questions. We’re wired to understand and look for root causes — especially when something feels painful.
But trying to assign fault here is a bit like trying to trace where each drop of water in the ocean came from. Genetics, upbringing, stress, relationships, culture — they’re all intertwined. And focusing on blame usually just creates more shame and frustration anyway.
A more helpful question might be:
“What can I do now that I know this about myself (or my child, or my partner)?”
Sensitivity, Struggle, and Differential Susceptibility
One important concept in HSP research is called differential susceptibility.
It means that Highly Sensitive People tend to be:
More impacted by difficult, chaotic, or invalidating environments
More likely to struggle in spaces that are loud, fast-paced, emotionally harsh, or overstimulating
But the flip side is just as important:
HSPs also tend to benefit more than average from supportive environments, safe relationships, and therapeutic support. Studies show that highly sensitive individuals often experience greater gains from therapy compared to non-HSPs — when the environment is attuned and supportive.
Sensitivity isn’t a weakness. It’s a responsiveness — and responsiveness amplifies both harm and healing.
If you’d like to learn more about therapy and coaching specifically designed for Highly Sensitive People, you can explore my work with HSPs here and see whether it feels like a fit for you.
You’re Not Broken — You’re just Wired Differently
As a Highly Sensitive Person myself, I know how daunting it can feel to live in a world that often seems too loud, too fast, and too much. When your nervous system processes everything deeply, it can feel exhausting just to exist — especially if no one ever explained what was happening or how to work with it.
You don’t need to become less sensitive to function in the world. You need understanding, tools, and support that honor your nervous system instead of fighting it.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, confused, or simply tired of trying to figure this out on your own, I’d love to help.
You’re not “too much.”
You’re deeply perceptive — and you deserve support that matches that depth.