Essentials: How Hormones Shape Sexual Development

Episode • Feb 13 • 44m

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain the crucial role hormones play in shaping the sexual development of both the brain and body.

I discuss how biological masculinization and feminization depend on factors such as genetics, hormone ratios, and receptor availability. I also explore how hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and other steroid hormones influence sexual characteristics and brain development. Additionally, I examine the impact of environmental factors—such as herbicides like atrazine, cannabis, alcohol, and even cell phones—on hormone function and reproductive health.

Read the full episode show notes, including referenced articles, resources, and people mentioned at hubermanlab.com.

Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes. Watch or listen to the full-length episode at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hubermanlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Hormones, Sexual Development

00:01:25 Chromosomal Sex, Gonadal Sex, Hormonal Sex, Morphology

00:06:08 Sponsor: Function

00:07:56 Steroid Hormones, Sexual Characteristics

00:10:59 Primary & Secondary Sexual Characteristics, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), Kisspeptin

00:15:12 Masculinization of Brain, Estrogen