Essentials: How Hormones Shape Sexual Development
from Huberman Lab
by Scicomm Media
Published: Thu Feb 13 2025
Show Notes
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
Huberman Lab Essentials; Hormones, Sexual Development
Chromosomal Sex, Gonadal Sex, Hormonal Sex, Morphology
Sponsor: Function
Steroid Hormones, Sexual Characteristics
Primary & Secondary Sexual Characteristics, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), Kisspeptin
Masculinization of Brain, Estrogen
Sponsors: Our Place, BetterHelp
Herbicides, Atrazine, Hormone Effects, Sperm Counts
Female Sexual Development, Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
Sponsor: AG1
Cannabis & Aromatase Activity, Gynecomastia; Alcohol & Estrogen Activity
Cell Phones & Gonads
Beard & Hair Growth, DHT
Hyenas, Hormones, Androstenedione; Plants
Recap & Key Takeaways