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Too much testosterone can kill brain cells, researchers said on Tuesday in a finding that may help explain why steroid abuse can cause behavior changes like aggressiveness and suicidal tendencies.

[...]

"We can show that when you have high levels of steroids, you have high testosterone and that can destroy the nerve cells. We know that when you lose brain cells you lose function."

Ehrlich's team tried the same thing with the "female" hormone estrogen, just to be fair.

"We were surprised, but it actually looks like estrogen is neuroprotective. If anything, there is less cell death in the presence of estrogen," she said.

Writing in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Ehrlich and colleagues said their findings meant people should think twice about supplementing with testosterone, even if it does build muscle mass and aid recovery after exercise.

This actualy dosnt suprise me.... I mean,  My memory seems to have imporved infinatly.... and itwould explain why my dad has no memory at all LoL.........   okay... Im dont now.

QuoteToo much testosterone kills brain cells

*giggles*   I knew it!  there had to be some connection in a man who is a bit too slow and having too much testosterone in his system.  Now I know for sure....LOL


tinkerbell

as if i needed another reason to avoid T

yeah. jeez... I have the perfect memory right now. But so did my grandfather, and great author Ray Bradbury... so I guess I just gotta keep from overdoing it with the T, and I'll be fine.

Rafe

A friend once asked me why guys are so thick (in the head <G>).  I said that I was the same until I started taking hormones and that it was the testosterone.  I should have gotten any type of grant money.  LOL

I have read this before - Testosterone is a poison in all sorts of ways - its also can convey survival enhancing benefits - strength and endurance for starters. Consider insulin, get the dosage wrong with this & you are dead yet it is vitally necessary.  One of natures trade offs I guess. Hormones, their interplay & regulation by the body is somthing we know only the basics of.   

I guess levels of estrogen in the body its brain enhancing effect may compensate for the dumbing down effects of testosterone  - I have read that young men in their early 20's have estrogen levels twice as high as post menopausal women

Rana

I knew it!  I knew it!  Testosterone is poison.  This certainly helps explain why women live linger than men.

Melissa

Nope, does not explain the early death.

One comedian put it perfectly when they said, "Men die first because they want to."     

Actually...

Testosterone increases regeneration rate of cells, and that's why men die earlier. However, castrated men die éven faster, because of a lack of testosterone. (Unless you're on hormones it seems. ^^)

Anyway; testosterone also decreases the effect of your immune system, while boosting your recovery rate. (Wonder why ill men always just go on with their life, no matter the illness? That's it.)

It's also known to dull nerves, especially pain receptors. As a rule, men are much more resilient to pain.. Well; they don't get as much of it as women do, because of testosterone. (Women in labour really don't count, as that's rather situational.)

So... It's not that strange that it also affects the brain, like that. The good part is: Brain cells actually dó regenerate. (Albeit very slowly.) The bad part: Male brains grow old a hell of a lot faster.

As for aggressiveness: This is actually due to the fact that 'fake' testosterone, and I mean steroids, simply isn't compatible with the human species. The behavioural changes are because the stuff triggers aggressiveness rather than defensiveness, and that's because it activates the wrong brain cells.

As another point of interest: How does killing bain cells compare with aggressive behaviour? After all; if that would be linked, then concussions would make people very angry. As far as I know, concussions from accidents simply make people whoozy, instead.

i can say for a fact that when I had T swimming around in my system I was in severe pain all the time as my nerves were all extremely sensitive. It didn't help either that T+ uterus makes some REALLY bad cramps. ie so bad hospitals become friends every month and still do lol.

T always helped my mind, up until the cortisol in my body wiped my brain so bad a zombie wouldn't want it.

As for dead brain cells and aggressive behavior- it has to do with the cells dying in the area of the brain that controls it. Tho with too much T, it's like with too much estrogen- you go nuts and lose your mind easier than normal levels.

God forbid when you have high levels of BOTH. Ugh, that's not pleasant.