Hey all,

For those who are on T, I have a question about its effects on brain function (I'll try to explain what I mean as best as I can--please tell me if I'm unclear).  Have there been any very noticeable effects in the way you think after you've been on T versus before?  I mean as far as what may be considered typical 'female' (able to multitask and communicate--writing or speaking--more easily) versus what may be considered more 'male' (more of a one-track, work on one problem or idea at a time, with somewhat less ability to communicate easily). 

I suppose what this really comes down to is that: from what I have read, genetic females are said to have a larger corpus callosum, that bundle of nerves that allows the right/left brain hemispheres to communicate more efficiently, while males have a smaller corpus callosum.  Whether changing levels of estrogen or testosterone can affect this bundle of nerves in an adult brain--well, I can't seem to find any conclusive evidence that this is true or not.  But it seems possible that taking testosterone will affect brain structures, so again: have you noticed any significant changes in thinking/cognitive abilities after you've been on T (please also include how long you've been on it).

For a bit of background, I am pre-T and would consider myself to have about equal abilities with both left-and-right brained thinking (can write well and have good spatial abilities, can do logic-intensive problem solving (ie, structural analysis--engineering student) as well as exercise the creative side with painting/drawing/sculpting.  Creative thinking comes a bit more easily to me, though.  I'm just wondering if there's a chance (I know there can be no definitive answer) that my mental abilities are going to change, and its going to become harder for me to switch quickly between right-and-left brained tasks (I'm an aspiring architect, and being able to consider practical structural aspects of a building simultaneously with aesthetics is important to me).

Thanks

What up Eryk? I don't know first hand, I'm pre-t as well. But i have heard from quite a few ftm's that after they were on T they noticed a change in how they communicated, expressed their feelings, listened to people and things like that, I've watched a few ftm transition videos on you tube as well, and i saw that on some of those they were also complaining about these types of things happening.
I'm honestly a little worried about it, because i am already aweful at communicating, expressing my feelings, listening to people, multitasking, and all that stuff. So i am really hoping that being on T won't effect me to much in those areas because it would probably be pretty bad lol
Jet

My multi-tasking skills were much better before I went on T but they have not deteriorated to the point where it is noticeable at work. Communication wise I was also a good communicator and writer and I don't think that has changed at all. One thing I have noticed is that both my concentration level have increased a lot and that emotionally I am much more stable than I used to be. Much calmer and clearer headed these days and less likely to go off the rails, which some people think is odd when testosterone is supposedly linked with aggression.

Quote from: Snowdoggy on April 28, 2008, 02:28:37 PM
Much calmer and clearer headed these days and less likely to go off the rails, which some people think is odd when testosterone is supposedly linked with aggression.

I've heard guys on T say that before; I'm hoping the 'calmer and clearer-headed' thing will be true for me as well.  Being chill is pretty much my default state, but I know my distinct lack of T and male physical characteristics causes some stress and can make me quicker to anger (stress will do that no matter what its cause, I think).  That, and my used-to-be awesome concentration skills have just gone to heck lately... all this stuff is stewing in my head and I need to get it off my chest.  And I'm glad your writing stayed the same; I was thinking (hoping) highly learned & practiced skills wouldn't be altered too much.

Quote from: jet3 on April 27, 2008, 04:06:37 PM
i am already aweful at communicating, expressing my feelings, listening to people, multitasking, and all that stuff. So i am really hoping that being on T won't effect me to much in those areas because it would probably be pretty bad lol

Lol, I hear ya there...  I'm not the greatest at feelings & expression either.  I think a lot of girls notice that from me... I've gotten strange looks like I'm not communicating/acting like they expect me to.  Guys don't seem to notice... or care.  Actually, with a lot of guys (not all--I've met some crazy good communicators) you'll probably be fine.

I immediately noticed that my anxiety is pretty much gone... so emotionally/mentally it has had a positive effect on me.  My reactive personality is much better too... i used to get really angry at little things.  Now i kinda just have a "whatever" attitude.

I've never been one to multi-task so haven't noticed any changes in that department.  Communicating, never been good at that either.  I think I'm getting better *shrug*

Just thought I would add my two cents to this conversation even though I'm a GB not on HRT.

From what I've read about the corpus callosum, the two sides of the brain and how different hormones effect the use of the brain strongly depends on how active the person is with their use of what they already have. T alone should not make a substantial change in the amount of use between the two sides of your brain unless you completely stop using your brain in general.

Take a look at this article found at Clicky CLicky

Quote"The brain seems to be a sponge for music and, like a sponge in water, is changed by it. The brain's left and right hemispheres are connected by a big trunk line called the corpus callosum. When they compared the corpus callosum in 30 nonmusicians with the corpus callosum in 30 professional string and piano players, researchers led by Dr. Gottfried Schlaug of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston found striking differences. The front part of this thick cable of neurons is larger in musicians, especially if they began their training before the age of 7. The front of the corpus callosum connects the two sides of the prefrontal cortex, the site of planning and foresight. It also connects the two sides of the premotor cortex, where actions are mapped out before they're executed. "These con-nections are critical for coordinating fast, bi-manual movements" such as those a pianist's hands execute in an allegro movement, says Schlaug. The neural highway connecting the right and left brain may explain something else, too. The right brain is linked to emotion, the left to cognition. The greatest musicians, of course, are not only masters of technique but also adept at infusing their playing with emotion. Perhaps this is why."

This study and those like it have shown not only women but men also can have the same brain type.

About the general level of feelings anger or otherwise, that's something that is dependent on each person in my opinion. Some cope better then others, but I feel that the hormones one has needs to match the lifestyle of the brain and thought process. Some F2M's I've talked to or read about seem to be more calm when they have T in them compared to before transition. Same with M2F's, some guys just have bad reactions to the natural levels of T in their bodies and it makes them "off the edge" 24/7.

Good luck and I hope this helps to ease your concerns a little.

After 4 months on testosterone, these are the non-physical things I have noticed:

less anxiety in general
more energy
happier
higher sex drive
no more crying at movies

That's about it. Don't expect it to revamp your life. It's a hormone, not a miracle cure. But it does give you a wicked amount of facial hair, if you're lucky. 

SD