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How Hormones Shape Sexual Development

Episode 14 Apr 5, 2021 1h 34m 34 insights
In this episode, I discuss how hormones such as testosterone and estrogen and their derivatives impact the early development of the brain and body and their maturation. I review published data on environmental factors shown to powerfully alter hormone pathways in animals and humans and the effects of cannabis, alcohol and cell phones on testes, sperm, ovaries and hormones. I describe the predictable relationship between genes, beard growth and balding patterns, and the importance of estrogen for brain development in people of all chromosomal sexes. Finally, I discuss how the hormones we are exposed to in the womb shape the relative length of our finger digits, the sounds our ears make (yes you read that correctly), and how those correlate with people's self-reports of their sexual preferences. As always, basic information and tools are discussed. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com.
Actionable Insights

1. Prioritize Hydration & Electrolytes

Ensure proper hydration and adequate electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, potassium) for optimal brain and body function, as even slight dehydration can diminish cognitive and physical performance.

2. Restore Energy with NSDR

Practice yoga nidra or non-sleep deep rest (NSDR) by lying still with an active mind, as even a short 10-minute session can greatly restore cognitive and physical energy.

3. Environmental Hormone Awareness

Be aware that environmental factors and common household products can profoundly impact hormone levels and sexual development.

4. Avoid Marijuana in Pregnancy

Avoid smoking marijuana during pregnancy, as it can shift fetal hormone patterns towards more estrogenic outcomes, potentially counteracting masculinizing effects.

5. Avoid Alcohol in Puberty

Avoid alcohol, especially grain alcohols like beer, during puberty, as it can increase estrogenic activity and negatively impact hormonal development in both boys and girls.

6. Keep Phone Out of Pocket

Avoid keeping your cell phone on and in your pocket, as chronic exposure of gonads to emitted waves has been linked to defects in testicular and ovarian development and altered hormone profiles in studies.

7. Consider Avoiding Herbicides

Consider avoiding herbicides containing substances like atrazine, as scientific data suggest they can have marked negative effects on hormone levels and sexual development in animals and humans.

8. Caution: Evening Primrose Oil

Be cautious with evening primrose oil, especially around children, as it contains estrogenic compounds that can be absorbed transdermally and impact hormone levels.

9. Avoid TRT Cream Contact

If using testosterone replacement therapy creams, avoid skin contact with others, especially children, to prevent unintended transdermal transfer and hormonal impact.

10. Cannabis & Aromatase Activity

Be aware that cannabis use, particularly in males, can increase aromatase activity, leading to higher estrogenic activity and potentially gynecomastia.

11. Supplement D3K2

Supplement with Vitamin D3, even with sun exposure, as many are deficient; K2 is also important for cardiovascular function and calcium regulation.

12. Element Hydration Protocol

Dissolve one packet of Element in 16-32 ounces of water and drink it first thing in the morning, and also consume it during physical exercise, to ensure adequate hydration and electrolytes.

13. Use Waking Up App

Utilize the Waking Up app for various meditation programs, mindfulness trainings, yoga nidra, and non-sleep deep rest (NSDR) protocols to place the brain and body into different states.

14. Limit Phone & Social Media

Restrict the number of hours spent on your phone, especially social media, and designate specific times for answering emails to manage its potential negative impact.

15. Flexible Meditation Duration

Adapt your meditation duration based on available time, as apps like Waking Up offer sessions of different lengths to suit your schedule.

16. Access Free NSDR Protocol

Access the free non-sleep deep rest (NSDR) protocol from Made For (linked in caption) to achieve deep relaxation through breathing and body scan techniques.

17. Choose Preferred Relaxation Scripts

If you prefer traditional yoga nidra scripts over generic NSDR, utilize the many options available on the internet and elsewhere.

18. Creatine for Strength & Cognition

Consider using creatine to support muscle strength, bring water into muscles, and potentially offer mild cognitive enhancement.

19. Creatine & Hair Loss Risk

Be aware that creatine can promote 5-alpha reductase activity, increasing dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and potentially leading to hair loss in some individuals, while also promoting beard growth and other DHT effects.

20. Hair Loss: 5-alpha Inhibitors

If experiencing hair loss, consider treatments that are 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, as they prevent the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which is responsible for hair loss.

21. Hair Loss Drug Side Effects

Be aware that 5-alpha reductase inhibitors for hair loss can have severe side effects related to reduced DHT, which is a dominant androgen for libido, strength, connective tissue repair, and ambition.

22. Support Gut Microbiome

Consider using Athletic Greens to obtain necessary vitamins, minerals, and probiotics, which support the gut microbiome and overall health.

23. Claim AG1 D3K2 Offer

Visit athleticgreens.com/Huberman to claim a special offer including five free travel packs and a year’s supply of vitamin D3K2.

24. Claim Element Sample Pack

Visit drinkelement.com/HubermanLab to claim a free Element sample pack with the purchase of any Element drink mix.

25. Waking Up Free Trial

Access a free 30-day trial of the Waking Up app by visiting wakingup.com/Huberman.

26. Manage Information Intake

If feeling overwhelmed by podcast information, remember to use the pause button, return to content later, and utilize timestamps to manage information intake.

27. Adjust Podcast Speed

Adjust the playback speed of the podcast on YouTube or other platforms if the speaking pace is too fast or too slow for your preference.

28. Use Spanish Subtitles

For Spanish speakers or those who prefer content in Spanish, utilize the available Spanish subtitles for all podcast episodes.

29. Research Hyena Androstenedione

To understand the role of androstenedione in androgenization, research the work of Steve Glickman on hyenas, particularly his 1987 paper in PNAS or the Science magazine feature.

30. Subscribe on YouTube

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31. Subscribe & Review Podcast

Support the podcast by subscribing on Apple and/or Spotify, and consider leaving a five-star review and comment on Apple Podcasts.

32. Comment & Ask Questions

Leave comments and suggestions for future episodes on YouTube, and ask questions about the material to help guide office hours and inform future content.

33. Share the Podcast

Help spread the word by telling family, friends, and coworkers about the podcast if you believe they might benefit from the material.

34. Support Podcast Sponsors

Support the podcast by checking out and engaging with the sponsors and their links, as this is a primary way to help the podcast.