Can my genes change during my life?
Your core DNA sequence stays essentially the same for life, but which genes are switched on or off changes constantly.
You cannot rewrite the instructions you were born with — that sequence is stable. But genes can be turned up, turned down, silenced, or activated depending on your diet, sleep, stress, age, and environment. This dimmer-switch system is called epigenetics.
It is why two people with similar DNA, or even identical twins, can end up with different health over time. The recipe stays the same; how often you cook each dish changes.
Last reviewed 29 May 2026 · reviewed by someone with genetics training