Contrary to concerns from animal studies about endocrine disruption, human data and Dr. D'Agostino's self-experimentation with high doses (up to 30mg) show no suppression of key hormones like testosterone, LH, or FSH. This suggests it can be used safely for its neuroprotective and antioxidant benefits.

Chronic low-grade inflammation often presents not as obvious swelling but as subtle, persistent symptoms. Issues like increased fatigue, difficulty concentrating, poor sleep, and skin problems can be driven by an under-the-radar inflammatory state that even doctors may miss.

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.

Insomnia is often maintained by 'conditioned arousal,' where your brain learns to associate your bed with being awake (from working, watching TV, or worrying in it). To break this, if you're awake for 20 minutes, get out of bed until you're sleepy again to re-teach your brain that bed is only for sleep.

Patients can successfully request hormone tests by describing subjective declines in energy, focus, or athletic performance compared to their past selves. This provides the necessary clinical justification for the lab work without requiring a pre-existing diagnosis.

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.

Many children diagnosed with ADHD are actually suffering from sleep deprivation caused by breathing issues like snoring or sleep apnea. Assessing a child's breathing and sleep quality should be the first step, as it is often overlooked in favor of medication.

When addressing hormone imbalances, start at the base of the "hormone pyramid." Optimizing foundational hormones like cortisol (stress) and insulin (blood sugar) is essential, as they directly impact thyroid function and sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

Dr. D'Agostino gives his aging, neutered dogs a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) to stimulate muscle protein synthesis and maintain vitality. This approach is analogous to Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) in humans, aiming to counteract the loss of skeletal muscle mass associated with aging and hormonal changes.