SELF-REGULATION THERAPY TO
REPRODUCE DRUG EFFECTS: A Suggestion
Technique to Change Personality and the DRD3
Gene Expression
Salvador Amigó and Antonio Caselles
University of València, Spain
Joan C. Micó
Polytechnic University of València, Spain
Abstract: This study proposes a strategy, based on self-regulation therapy, to change personality and its biological substrate, the DRD3gene expression. It has been demonstrated that acute doses of stimulating drugs, like methylphenidate, are able to change personality and the expression of certain genes in the short term. On the other hand, self-regulation therapy has been proven to reproduce the effects of drugs. Thus, it is feasible to hope that self-regulation therapy is equally effective as methylphenidate in changing personality and the gene expression. This is a preliminary study with a single-case experimental design with replication in which 2 subjects participated. The results and potential implications for research and psychotherapy are discussed.