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May 2, 2025 – A groundbreaking study from Nagoya University, Japan, has revealed that the changing seasons can significantly affect how our bodies respond to alcohol, medications, and even how we process carbohydrates-potentially explaining why some people gain weight in winter or become more easily intoxicated in summer.
Mapping the Seasons in Our Genes
Researchers, led by Professor Takashi Yoshimura at the Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), conducted a year-long investigation into the seasonal gene expression of rhesus monkeys, a species closely related to humans. By analyzing over 54,000 genes across 80 different tissues, the team identified “seasonally variable genes” that help explain how our bodies adapt to environmental changes throughout the year.
Drug Metabolism Shifts With the Seasons
The study, published in Nature Communications, found that genes responsible for metabolizing drugs-particularly CYP2D6 and CYP2C19-fluctuate with the seasons. These genes are crucial because they influence how a quarter of all commonly prescribed medications are processed by the body, including drugs for cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, psychiatric conditions, hormone therapies, and immunosuppressants for organ transplants.
“This means that the effectiveness of many medications could vary depending on the time of year they are taken,” explained Professor Yoshimura. “Our findings suggest that doctors should consider the season when prescribing certain drugs, paving the way for more personalized, precise medical care.”
Alcohol Tolerance: Higher in Winter, Lower in Summer
To further explore seasonal effects, the researchers studied mice exposed to simulated winter and summer conditions. Mice in winter conditions recovered from alcohol intoxication more rapidly than those in summer conditions, indicating higher alcohol tolerance in colder months.
“This result suggests that the body is more likely to become intoxicated in the summer,” Yoshimura noted. “It may help explain why hospitals often see more cases of acute alcohol intoxication during the warmer months.”
Why We Gain Weight in Winter
The study also uncovered a surprising sex difference in how seasonal changes affect metabolism. Female monkeys showed increased activity in genes related to carbohydrate metabolism during winter and spring, even though their diet remained constant. This heightened carbohydrate processing may be an evolutionary adaptation to extract more energy from food when it is scarce-potentially explaining the common phenomenon of winter weight gain.
The Future: Chronotherapy and Precision Medicine
These findings have significant implications for the emerging field of chronotherapy, which tailors medical treatments to the body’s natural biological rhythms. By understanding how gene activity shifts with the seasons, doctors may one day optimize drug dosing, dietary recommendations, and even advice on alcohol consumption according to the time of year.
“Our research offers a new perspective on how the seasons shape our health,” said Yoshimura. “We hope it will lead to more effective, personalized treatments for a range of conditions.”
Disclaimer:
This article is based on research findings reported by Nagoya University and published in Nature Communications. While the study was conducted in rhesus monkeys and mice, which are closely related to humans, further research is needed to confirm these effects in humans. The information provided should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding medical conditions or medication.
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