A scientist claims that our DNA could be an influential factor when studying how frequently we travel around the world on solo holidays and with friends.
One biologist has revealed that our ancestors’ biological background may be the reason for our modern day travel bug.
The study, which has been conducted over several years, proves that there is a possible link between extra dopamine – a compound which works as a precursor of substances including adrenaline – and the tendency to make impulsive decisions.
Excess dopamine levels have also been linked to the 7R+ variant of the gene DRD4, which is known to cause people to take risks and explore opportunities in everyday life, including the need to travel.
Speaking to Nomadic Matt, Justin Garcia, an evolutionary biologist at Indiana University’s Kinsey Institute, said: “We don’t have very clear answers at this point. But we’re seeing that some people are just risky in all areas. Lay people might say those people have ‘addictive’ personalities. They always seem to be doing really impulsive things.
“But we also see that others have these predispositions for risk, and they find [just] one domain to express it in. Travel could be one. But what domain an individual is going to pick to express that risk is very much going to be driven by environmental factors and social context.”
Image Credit: University of Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment (flickr.com)
