Essentials: How Hormones Shape Sexual Development

Huberman Lab

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.

Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes (approximately 30 minutes) focused on key science and protocol takeaways from past Huberman Lab episodes. Essentials are released every Thursday, while full-length episodes continue to be released every Monday.

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

This Huberman Lab Essentials episode is from the full-length episode, available here: https://go.hubermanlab.com/PQYuc9i

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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

00:16:29 Sponsors: Our Place, BetterHelp

00:19:15 Herbicides, Atrazine, Hormone Effects, Sperm Counts

00:25:04 Female Sexual Development, Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome

00:28:37 Sponsor: AG1

00:29:41 Cannabis & Aromatase Activity, Gynecomastia; Alcohol & Estrogen Activity

00:32:34 Cell Phones & Gonads

00:35:24 Beard & Hair Growth, DHT

00:38:42 Hyenas, Hormones, Androstenedione; Plants

00:43:44 Recap & Key Takeaways

Disclaimer & Disclosures