With the litany of testosterone commercials being played on the radio and television, it's hard to ignore this notorious hormone.
It has been billed as the "fountain of youth" in that it is associated with increased cellular regeneration, higher mental focus, and thrill seeking behaviors attributed to the boldness of young people.
It's what gives a person 'Jedi-like' reflexes behind the wheel, or the ability to pilot a jet, ride a motorcycle, or partake in martial arts. It's like a superpower that keeps you young.
Both men and women possess this hormone; however, it is much more pronounced in men usually at a ratio of 10:1 as the primary male sex hormone. Females generally produce higher Oestrogens [Estrogen, being the primary female sex hormone].
Testosterone is predominantly generated in the testes of sexually mature males and reaches peak production by around age 30 which then starts to decline slowly with age. This hormone is responsible for the ability to quickly develop and maintain muscle mass which is one of the reasons men are muscular and can generally lose weight faster and metabolize calories quicker than their less developed counterparts.
Body builders sometimes use synthesized testosterone to boost their performance in order to stay competitive. Anabolic steroids are also used which are chemicals that 'trick' the body into faster performance gains than could be naturally achieved with unaided hormone manipulation.
It has been theorized that our male ancestors relied on their ability to hunt and fight off rival males in order to provide for and protect our offspring in tribal cultures. The ability to run fast, hit hard, stay focused, and heal quickly became paramount to early life and individuals who exhibited these traits were sexually selected to be rewarded with offspring.
In cisgendered social dynamics, women seem to be attracted to men with healthy testosterone levels which seems to support evolutionary psychological findings. Testosterone is the original competition hormone. Men compete with one another for resources and of course the privilege to mate with women. (It's probably responsible for most if not all Wars and Racism.)
Testosterone (T) is associated with dominance. Higher levels of the hormone in men often result in displays of aggressive behavior. These can be violent in nature and without the maturity to control such impulses it can lead the individual down a destructive path.
Women who are attracted to the 'dominant' genetics of such individuals may not be able to reconcile their instinctual desires with how they are actually treated (the Bad Boy phenomena).
Also noted in human pair bonding, is the correlation between higher T levels and the propensity for polygamy. High T is associated with risk and thrill seeking behavior which includes, sex, drugs, alcohol, violence, and gambling. The more risk, the more satisfying the 'high' is for such individuals. These neural pathways get hard-wired into their brain from the repeated neurotransmitter releases (like dopamine and serotonin) resulting in addictive chemical dependency, thus the term "adrenaline junkie". While the referenced chemicals are technically different hormones, they all serve to contribute to certain behaviors in a biofeedback loop that rewards its host. The thrill of evading or surviving danger is a powerful intoxicant. It can corrupt one's ego into believing in an inflated sense of self-importance.
With maturity, these hormones may be controlled and channeled into constructive outlets which can benefit the individual as well as the community.
Many use their biological gifts as a means to help influence their environment as they see fit. Those whose competition genes have allowed them to achieve some measure of success, power, and respect can use their influence to encourage and uplift community members to achieve their own potential. This is illustrated with sports celebrities and CEO's who lead by their example, or even in local community leaders who 'lead by deed' or practice as they preach.
It is important to understand that not everyone possesses equal respect for their genetic gifts. Some choose to indulge inwardly focusing only on themselves. Others take their gifts for granted and neglect to develop their abilities and skills until it leaves them. And some even choose to behave like 'Jedi' allowing their gift to benefit not only themselves but enrich the world around them.
It has been billed as the "fountain of youth" in that it is associated with increased cellular regeneration, higher mental focus, and thrill seeking behaviors attributed to the boldness of young people.
It's what gives a person 'Jedi-like' reflexes behind the wheel, or the ability to pilot a jet, ride a motorcycle, or partake in martial arts. It's like a superpower that keeps you young.
Both men and women possess this hormone; however, it is much more pronounced in men usually at a ratio of 10:1 as the primary male sex hormone. Females generally produce higher Oestrogens [Estrogen, being the primary female sex hormone].
Testosterone is predominantly generated in the testes of sexually mature males and reaches peak production by around age 30 which then starts to decline slowly with age. This hormone is responsible for the ability to quickly develop and maintain muscle mass which is one of the reasons men are muscular and can generally lose weight faster and metabolize calories quicker than their less developed counterparts.
Body builders sometimes use synthesized testosterone to boost their performance in order to stay competitive. Anabolic steroids are also used which are chemicals that 'trick' the body into faster performance gains than could be naturally achieved with unaided hormone manipulation.
It has been theorized that our male ancestors relied on their ability to hunt and fight off rival males in order to provide for and protect our offspring in tribal cultures. The ability to run fast, hit hard, stay focused, and heal quickly became paramount to early life and individuals who exhibited these traits were sexually selected to be rewarded with offspring.
In cisgendered social dynamics, women seem to be attracted to men with healthy testosterone levels which seems to support evolutionary psychological findings. Testosterone is the original competition hormone. Men compete with one another for resources and of course the privilege to mate with women. (It's probably responsible for most if not all Wars and Racism.)
Testosterone (T) is associated with dominance. Higher levels of the hormone in men often result in displays of aggressive behavior. These can be violent in nature and without the maturity to control such impulses it can lead the individual down a destructive path.
Women who are attracted to the 'dominant' genetics of such individuals may not be able to reconcile their instinctual desires with how they are actually treated (the Bad Boy phenomena).
Also noted in human pair bonding, is the correlation between higher T levels and the propensity for polygamy. High T is associated with risk and thrill seeking behavior which includes, sex, drugs, alcohol, violence, and gambling. The more risk, the more satisfying the 'high' is for such individuals. These neural pathways get hard-wired into their brain from the repeated neurotransmitter releases (like dopamine and serotonin) resulting in addictive chemical dependency, thus the term "adrenaline junkie". While the referenced chemicals are technically different hormones, they all serve to contribute to certain behaviors in a biofeedback loop that rewards its host. The thrill of evading or surviving danger is a powerful intoxicant. It can corrupt one's ego into believing in an inflated sense of self-importance.
With maturity, these hormones may be controlled and channeled into constructive outlets which can benefit the individual as well as the community.
Many use their biological gifts as a means to help influence their environment as they see fit. Those whose competition genes have allowed them to achieve some measure of success, power, and respect can use their influence to encourage and uplift community members to achieve their own potential. This is illustrated with sports celebrities and CEO's who lead by their example, or even in local community leaders who 'lead by deed' or practice as they preach.
It is important to understand that not everyone possesses equal respect for their genetic gifts. Some choose to indulge inwardly focusing only on themselves. Others take their gifts for granted and neglect to develop their abilities and skills until it leaves them. And some even choose to behave like 'Jedi' allowing their gift to benefit not only themselves but enrich the world around them.
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