The androgen receptor gene, which dictates how the body responds to hormones like testosterone and DHT, is located on the X chromosome. Since men (XY) inherit their X chromosome from their mother, their genetic predisposition for androgen sensitivity is maternally inherited.
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There isn't a direct gene for ADHD or depression, but there is a 'sensitivity gene' that makes individuals more susceptible to stress. According to epigenetics, present and nurturing parenting in the first year of life can effectively neutralize the expression of this gene, preventing future mental illness.
Cannabinoids (THC, CBD) don't directly reduce testosterone. Instead, the act of smoking marijuana increases the enzyme aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen. Higher estrogen then signals the pituitary to reduce testosterone production, creating an indirect negative feedback loop.
Male brains mature up to two years later than female brains, particularly the prefrontal cortex which governs impulse control and decision-making. This biological lag, not a character flaw, helps explain why many young men struggle with long-term planning and risk assessment until their mid-twenties.
The impact of caloric restriction on testosterone is context-dependent. While it can improve testosterone levels in men with obesity or metabolic syndrome, the same dietary stress will likely decrease testosterone in young, healthy, lean men.
The term "hormone resistance" was misleading. Researchers discovered that even in a castrate state, prostate cancer tumors produce their own testosterone locally. This maintained androgen receptor signaling, proving the disease was still "androgen addicted" and opening the door for new targeted therapies.
Casein, a primary protein in milk, can function as a mu opioid receptor agonist within the gut. This activity can lead to an increase in prolactin levels, which in turn can suppress dopamine and the hormones that stimulate testosterone production.
While low testosterone can cause poor sleep, starting TRT can also lead to sleep issues. It drastically increases the risk of sleep apnea and can initially put the body into a hypersympathetic (fight-or-flight) state, disrupting sleep patterns.
When sperm donor half-siblings meet as adults, they may feel attraction. This isn't an innate desire for kin, but a consequence of shared genes creating highly similar preferences. They seem like a "perfect match" because the usual childhood-developed sexual aversion is absent.
Contrary to popular belief, women's bodies contain substantially more total testosterone than estradiol. This misunderstanding arises because tests use different units (nanograms vs. picograms) or focus only on "free" testosterone, understating its overall prevalence and importance.
Trying to determine which traits you inherited from your parents is clouded by the 'noise' of shared environment and complex psychological relationships. For a more accurate assessment, skip a generation and analyze your four grandparents. The generational remove provides a cleaner, less biased signal of your genetic predispositions.