How It Works

How It Works & The Science | Intrinsic Genomics
How it works · The science

From your DNA to an action you can take

A simple path, one blood draw to a personalized guide, built on decades of published research and a genomic approach that looks at many genes together, not one at a time.

How it works

Five steps, one blood draw

Order & consent

Choose your guide and confirm your consent. You decide exactly how your data can be used, and can change your mind later.

Give a blood sample

Schedule a quick blood draw with our lab partner, Labcorp. Blood is the gold standard for DNA, about 5 mL (one teaspoon) is all it takes.

The lab processes it

The lab extracts your DNA, generates your genotype file, and securely transfers a de-identified copy to Intrinsic Genomics.

We analyze your genome

We match your DNA to hundreds of thousands of peer-reviewed studies and calculate polygenic scores across each topic.

You get your guide

About 6–8 weeks after your draw, you receive a downloadable guide with actionable recommendations and the genetic “why.”

The science

What’s behind your score

We work at the level of genomics, how all of your genes work together, and we’re careful about which findings make it into your guide.

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Polygenic scoring

Most traits, how you handle carbs, fat, caffeine, or micronutrients, are shaped by many genes at once. We combine many variants into a single polygenic score: the genomic approach, rather than reading one gene at a time.

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The Genetic Friction© Score

Each topic gets a score from 0 to 100, think of it as a resistance meter. A low score means your genes are working with you; a higher score means they’re creating more obstacles worth your attention. It’s a signal, not a diagnosis.

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Evidence that clears three filters

A finding only makes it into your guide if it is:

  • Supported by credible, replicated research
  • Relevant to an actionable choice (food, exercise, sleep, recovery)
  • Clear enough to translate into practical guidance
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Blood-based, broad coverage

Blood gives higher-quality, more complete data than saliva. Our own panel reads about three times the genetic data of a typical consumer test, at the same cost, without the price of whole-genome sequencing, and without relying on other sites’ data.

Negligible
Subtle
Moderate
Pronounced
Maximal
0, minimal (best) genetic friction©significant (worst) friction, 100

How we grade the evidence

For every topic we track a Level of Evidence, High, Medium, or Low, based on study size, replication, quality of methods, and consistency across populations. We use only findings with a high level of evidence and statistically significant associations in your results, and we keep guidance conservative when the science is still emerging.

A note on ancestry

Genetic research has historically over-represented some populations, so the strength of evidence can vary across ancestries. We’re transparent about this and label our confidence accordingly. Our focus is practical wellness translation, not ancestry or trait trivia.

Clear about our lane

What your guide is, and isn’t

What it is

  • An educational wellness tool grounded in published research
  • A picture of your tendencies and genetic friction©, topic by topic
  • Practical, food-first recommendations you can act on
  • An explanation of the genetic “why” behind your choices

What it isn’t

  • A medical diagnosis or a guarantee about your health
  • A prediction that you will or won’t develop a condition
  • A supplement storefront, we don’t sell or push products
  • Ancestry or fun-fact trivia with no practical use

Ready to see what your DNA suggests?

Explore the guides and turn decades of genomic research into everyday choices built around your body.

Explore the Guides

Intrinsic Genomics is not a medical provider and does not provide medical advice. These guides have not been reviewed by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For informational purposes only. A diagnosis cannot be derived solely from genetics and/or genomics. Please consult a medical provider before making major changes. © 2026 Intrinsic Genomics.