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Sex Hormones and Your Brain

David Tomen
Author:
David Tomen
16 minute read
Does testosterone affect memory?Estrogen and testosterone play a role in mood, cognitive function, anxiety and stress, pain management, and avoiding dementia, Alzheimer’s, or stroke

Men, do you know your total testosterone and free testosterone levels? Women, do you know your current estrogen and testosterone levels?

When is the last time you asked your doctor to run your sex hormone labs?

If it’s been awhile, I highly recommend Lets Get Checked for sex hormone labs. You order online, they’ll send you a kit with instructions, and once returned to their lab you’ll get your results in 2 – 3 weeks. Try: Lets Get Checked and use coupon code: nootropics20 for 20% off.

I’ve had Personal Consultations with dozens and dozens of men around the world. Some in their late teens and early 20’s.

I’ve also consulted with dozens and dozens of pre- and post-menopausal women around the world.

And many do not understand why others have successfully developed nootropic stacks that worked. But not for them.

For issues including better learning and memory, improved energy levels, ADHD/ADD, OCD, anxiety, social anxiety, depression, and aging.

What you may not realize is you will not enjoy the full benefit of your personal nootropic stack if your testosterone and estrogen levels are not optimal.

Sex hormones are not just for sex

Estrogen affects serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and acetylcholine systems in your brain. All of which play a role in mood, cognitive function, anxiety and stress, pain management, and avoiding dementia, Alzheimer’s, or stroke.[i]

Which hormone is responsible for memory?Estrogen also plays role in brain cell signaling, spinal cord synaptic plasticity and dendrite density. And is involved in the formation of new dendritic spines and excitatory synapses in the hippocampus and cortex for better learning and memory.[ii]

A recent randomized controlled trial showed estrogen replacement therapy improved verbal memory and executive control in athletes.[iii]

Testosterone plays a role in brain structure and cognitive function. Testosterone receptors in your hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are involved in higher cognitive function.

One animal study showed that surgical removal of either testicle decreased acetylcholine levels in the hippocampus and anterior cerebral cortex.[iv] And declines in dopamine in the cingulate cortex.[v]

Acetylcholine and dopamine are critical for learning and memory.

Testosterone also modulates serotonin which affects mood.[vi]

You have testosterone and estrogen receptors throughout your brain which respond to steroid hormones synthesized from cholesterol within your brain.[vii]

Sex hormones in men and women 

Male Sex Hormones

Testosterone in men

Testosterone is the major male sex hormone. It belongs to a class of male hormones called androgens which are also known as steroids or neurosteroids in the brain.

Does testosterone affect your brain?Testosterone is produced mainly in Leydig cells in the testes in men and your adrenal glands.[viii] The synthesis of testosterone also occurs in your brain.[ix]

Testosterone is controlled by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), produced by your hypothalamus, which stimulates your pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).[x]

In Leydig cells, LH stimulates the production of pregnenolone. Which is then converted to DHEA.

DHEA rapidly converts to testosterone. Some of which is then converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Testosterone is also synthesized by various enzymes in neurons and glial cells in your brain.[xi]

Estrogen in men

Certain target tissues including your breasts produce aromatase which synthesizes estradiol from testosterone.

Your brain also produces aromatase which creates estradiol from testosterone. Influencing libido and your desire for sex.

Estradiol is also involved in the regulation of neurogenesis, brain cell signaling, and neuroplasticity. Supporting healthy cognition, mood, and neuroprotection.[xii]

Female Sex Hormones

Testosterone in women

Testosterone is also critical for women’s health and cognition. Testosterone is produced in your ovaries by theca interna cells in response to luteinizing hormone (LH). Testosterone then converts to estrogen.[xiii]

Does estrogen affect cognition?Even though men produce 7 – 8-times more testosterone, women also require it for healthy menstruation, sexual desire[xiv], red blood cell production, and bone and tissue mass.[xv]

Estrogen in women

In women, the production of estrogen starts with the synthesis of pregnenolone from cholesterol in thecal cells in your ovaries. 

Pregnenolone is then converted to progesterone. Which is then converted to testosterone and through aromatase produces estradiol.[xvi]

A small amount of estrogen is also released by your adrenal glands and fat cells.

In your brain, estradiol is produced from cholesterol in neurons and astrocytes. And follows a similar pattern to synthesis as in your ovaries.

Symptoms of low sex hormone levels

Testosterone and estrogen levels in men and women decline with age.

Testosterone levels in men decline by 0.4–2% each year. In women, it’s a rapid drop in estrogen during menopause.

Menstruation, pregnancy, and breastfeeding can also result in fluctuations in hormone production.

How do hormones affect the brain?An increasing number of young men have been diagnosed with low testosterone levels. Caused by obesity, use of pain medications including ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and exposure to environmental toxins such as herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals, plastic (polychlorinated biphenyls), and COVID-19.[xvii] [xviii]

The physical symptoms of low testosterone levels in men include reduced body and facial hair, loss of muscle mass, low libido, impotence, small testicles, reduced sperm count and infertility, hot flashes, irritability, poor concentration, and depression.[xix]

In women, low levels of either estrogen or testosterone results in low libido, less desire for sex, reduced bone strength, poor concentration, depression, weight gain, and fatigue.[xx] 

Cognitive symptoms of low Testosterone

The cognitive symptoms of low testosterone in men and women can include:

Symptoms of low estrogen in women

The cognitive symptoms of low estrogen in women can include:

  • Trouble with concentration
  • Moodiness and irritability
  • Headaches before or during your period
  • Fatigue

Does estrogen enhance learning and memory?Sex hormone treatment clinical research

The following are several clinical studies showing how neurosteroids (sex hormones in your brain) can benefit brain function, cognition, and mood.

Estrogen for schizophrenia

Research shows schizophrenia appears to be caused by a change or imbalance in levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain.[xxi]

A randomized double-blind study conducted at the School of Psychology and Psychiatry in Melbourne, Australia recruited 102 women with schizophrenia.

Half of the patients received a 100 μg transdermal estradiol patch or transdermal placebo daily for 28 days.

Symptoms were assessed weekly with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale.

The study showed that the addition of 100 μg transdermal estradiol significantly reduced the symptoms of schizophrenia during the 28-day trial compared with the women receiving antipsychotic medication alone.

The study authors concluded that “estradiol appears to be a useful treatment for women with schizophrenia and may provide a new adjunctive therapeutic option for severe mental illness”.   

Progesterone for brain repair

Several studies have shown that progesterone, estrogens, and testosterone provide protection against various brain injuries.[xxii]

Studies around the world suggest that progesterone, if given soon after injury, can limit tissue damage and improve brain function after traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury, stroke, diabetic neuropathies, and other types of acute neural injury.

Progesterone plays a role in neurogenesis, myelination, TBI, cognition, mood, inflammation, and mitochondrial function. And boosts the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

After brain trauma, progesterone reduces brain swelling and inflammatory cytokines, prevents neuron loss and mitochondrial dysfunction, and improves healing.[xxiii]

Estrogen for multiple sclerosis

Researchers noticed that multiple sclerosis patients who became pregnant experienced a significant decrease in relapses that may have been caused by a shift in immune response.

Animal studies of MS have shown that estradiol can decrease disease symptoms. And when treatment stopped symptoms went back to pre-treatment levels.[xxiv]

A randomized, double-blind study was conducted in cooperation with 16 medical centers across Canada and the USA between 2007 and 2014.

164 women aged 18 – 50 years with multiple sclerosis were randomly assigned 8 mg of oral estradiol with glatiramer acetate (20 mg) daily or a placebo.

The study concluded that estradiol plus glatiramer acetate reduced MS relapse rates and were well tolerated.[xxv]

Progesterone reduces effectiveness of ADHD meds

Women with ADHD often find ADHD stimulant meds are not as effectiveness during the last two weeks of their menstrual cycle.

In the first 2 weeks of your cycle estrogen levels increase. And you find your ADHD meds are effective.

But during the last 2 weeks your cycle, estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels increase. And your meds don’t work as well.

The effectiveness of your ADHD meds vary because estrogen plays a role in the creation and plasticity of midbrain neurons. The areas of your brain used for decision-making and emotional and social behavior.

Demonstrated during a trial with healthy young women aged 25-26 years. The researchers wanted to know what Adderall feels like when estrogen is increased.

One group of women received estradiol patches with 10 mg Adderall. The other group used Adderall only. The study participants were in the 1st two weeks of their menstrual cycle.

The team found the combo of an increase in estrogen along with stimulant use increased the effects of the stimulant. [xxvi]

Higher levels of estrogen and lower levels of progesterone are associated with increased effectiveness of stimulant meds in both men and women.[xxvii]

Another study suggested ADHD meds may need to be used at varying dosages throughout the menstrual cycle for optimal symptom control.[xxviii]

Testosterone and memory

Age-related declines in sex hormones occur in both men and women. And is associated with declines in cognition and memory.

Testosterone supplementation in older men has shown in multiple studies to improve cognition and memory.

A study conducted at the University of Washington recruited 57 healthy older men. The men received weekly injections of 50,100 or 300 mg testosterone enanthate or a placebo for 6 weeks.

Blood samples were taken 48 hours after testosterone injection for each week of the study.

The researchers concluded that moderate increases in testosterone (100 mg) but not low or high (50, and 300 mg) resulted in improved cognition and memory.

Other studies with young men and low testosterone showed supplementation improved reasoning, working-, spatial-, and verbal memory.[xxix]

The results of these studies suggest that optimal levels of sex hormones can support working memory and cognition in men at any age.

Testosterone and depression

A meta-analysis of 469 studies published in 2018 concluded that testosterone replacement therapy was an effective in reducing depression in men.[xxx]

Sex hormones and the BrainHow to read sex hormone lab tests

The reference range or normal values in a sex hormone lab test are typical of someone who is not receiving hormone therapy.

But you may not be ‘typical’. You may find that even though your labs are within range, if you are still experiencing symptoms, I encourage you to keep on investigating.

Ask for another set of labs and if they are the same as the first, consider nootropic herbs to optimize your hormone levels until you feel better. Or consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

You can order your own labs by using Lets Get Checked for sex hormone labs. You order online, they’ll send you a kit with instructions, and once returned to their lab you’ll get your results in 2 – 3 weeks. Try: Lets Get Checked and use coupon code: nootropics20 for 20% off.

Men and women sex hormone level ranges

sex hormone lab readings chartNootropic supplements to boost testosterone

Vitamin D3 – 5,000 – 10000 IU per day – studies show a relationship between Vitamin D levels and sperm volume, sperm count and motility.[xxxi]

Vitamin D also seems to be involved in testosterone production. A study with 165 men aged 20-49 years were divided into two groups. Group one received 3,332 IU Vitamin D daily for a year and Group two a placebo.

Total testosterone levels in Group one increased by about 25% after supplementing with Vitamin D. But testosterone levels in the placebo group remain unchanged.[xxxii]

Zinc – 25 – 50 mg – a study with 37 patients diagnosed with infertility for 5 years supplemented with zinc. The researchers found zinc supplementation significantly boosted testosterone and DHT levels.[xxxiii]

Ashwagandha – 250 – 500 mg per day – One study tested the effects of Ashwagandha extract (KSM-66®) 225 mg 3-times per day for 12 weeks with infertile men. The study showed a 17% increase in testosterone levels and a 167% increase in sperm count. [xxxiv]

Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa) – 2 grams per day – one study with 55 infertile men aged 18-40 years were divided into two groups. One group supplemented with 2 grams Black Seed Oil per day for 3 months.

The group of men using Black Seed Oil had an 46.83% increased sperm count, motility, and viability.  As well as a 47.46% increase in FSH, and a 32.75% increase in LH. And testosterone increased by 29.35%.[xxxv]

Ginger extract – dosage not disclosed – a study with 75 infertile men who supplemented with Ginger extract for 30 weeks resulted in 17.7% increase in testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) by 43.2%, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) by 17.6%.[xxxvi]

Fenugreek – 500 mg per day – 50 men aged 35-65 years supplemented with 500 mg Fenugreek for 12. The result we a 46% increase in free testosterone in the majority of volunteers including improved mental alertness and mood.[xxxvii]

Mucuna Pruriens (L-DOPA) – a study conducted in India recruited 150 infertile men aged 25-40- years. 75 men supplemented with 5 grams Mucuna Pruriens daily for 3 months. The men showed a 41% improvement in sperm count and motility, and testosterone increased by 27%.[xxxviii]

DHEA – 25 – 50 mg per day – naturally synthesized in testes, adrenal glands, and your brain, DHEA is a precursor to the synthesis of testosterone and DHT and can activate both androgen and estrogen receptors.

A meta-analysis of 42 publications demonstrated that DHEA supplementation significantly increased testosterone level in men and was even more effective in women – dosage of >50 mg per day for 12 weeks was more effective than dosages <50 mg per day.[xxxix]

buy Testo Lab ProTesto Lab Pro® – made by a sister company to Mind Lab Pro® and Performance Lab® can increase testosterone levels especially when combined with strength training and cardiovascular exercise – Testo Lab Pro® contains: Ashwagandha extract (KSM-99®) 600 mg, D-Aspartic Acid Calcium Chelate 600 mg, Mucuna Pruriens Extract (15% L-DOPA) 300 mg, Luteolin (from orange extract) 60 mg, NutriGenesis® Vitamin D 50 mcg, Vitamin K1 & K2 50 mcg, Magnesium 50 mg, Zinc 30 mg, & Boron 6 mg.

Nootropic supplements to regulate estrogen

Postmenopausal women with low levels of circulating estrogen can experience brain fog and poor cognition,[xl] obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer, excessive menstrual cramps, pain during intercourse, abnormal or heavy menstrual flow, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

But recent studies have shown supporting your microbiome and help prevent many of these estrogen-modulated diseases.

Your microbiome impacts estrogen levels through secretion of the enzyme β-glucuronidase which deconjugates estrogen. Allowing free estrogen to bind to its receptors and preventing many estrogen-mediated diseases.[xli]

Performance Lab® Prebiotic – 3 grams twice per day – the Inulin and FructoOligoSaccharides (FOS) in this prebiotic is fermented in your gut producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including acetate, propionate, and butyrate.[xlii]

SCFAs including butyrate produced by this prebiotic supports the integrity of the epithelial barrier in your gut. Supporting microbiome homeostasis, a healthy gut, and estrogen metabolism.

Soy isoflavone phytoestrogens – supplementing with phytoestrogen isoflavones extracted from soybeans modulates estrogen metabolism. And has been shown to reduce tumor cells, induce tumor cell apoptosis, and may reduce the risks of breast cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, and obesity.[xliii]

Luteolin – 60 mg per day – in men, luteolin helps regulate aromatase and preventing testosterone from converting to estrogen and it’s unwanted side effects including ‘man boobs’ and hair loss.

Sex Hormone Replacement Therapy

You may find that natural nootropic supplements alone cannot raise your testosterone or estrogen to healthy levels. Levels to where you feel good, perform like you want, you’re generally in a good mood and not snapping at everyone, your energy levels support the lifestyle you deserve, and memory is not an issue.

You cannot rely on lab tests alone. If your numbers are within the bell curve of “normal”, and you still feel horrible, it’s up to you to find a medical professional willing to work with you. And get your sex hormone levels optimal.

Hormone replacement therapy may be your best option. And it’s not just for men. As a woman, you deserve to feel great too.

Do a search for “hormone replacement near me” and see who turns up. Then read the user reviews before you make a call.

But if you can not find anyone locally to work with I highly recommend a consultation with Blokes.co for men and Joi.co for women. You’ll do an online consultation, they’ll order labs for you, and then write you a script for the hormones you need help with.

An alternative if all you want is to know your levels, I highly recommend Lets Get Checked for sex hormone labs. You order online, they’ll send you a kit with instructions, and once returned to their lab you’ll get your results in 2 – 3 weeks. Try: Lets Get Checked and use coupon code: nootropics20 for 20% off.

Nootropics Expert® Recommendation

Nootropics Expert Tested and ApprovedYour hormones including testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone play a critical role in not only physical performance, but in optimal brain health and cognition as well.

You can put together the best nootropic stack on the planet tailored for your specific issues. But you will NOT get its full benefit if your hormones are not optimized.

Supporting healthy sex hormone levels that are optimized for you, can make the difference between living the life you dream of, or continuing to struggle.

Your age should not determine how you want to feel and perform. This goes for you too if you’re in your 20’s or 30’s. Depleted sex hormones can happen at any age.

Try natural nootropic supplements like Testo Lab Pro® or individual supplements mentioned in this article to increase your hormone levels.

But if that’s not enough, consider hormone replacement therapy. And start living life on your terms. You deserve to feel great! Every single day.

For HRT, I highly recommend a consultation with Blokes.co for men and Joi.co for women. You’ll do an online consultation, they’ll order labs for you, and then write you a script for the hormones you need help with.

An alternative if all you want is to know your levels, I highly recommend Lets Get Checked for sex hormone labs. You order online, they’ll send you a kit with instructions, and once returned to their lab you’ll get your results in 2 – 3 weeks. Try: Lets Get Checked and use coupon code: nootropics20 for 20% off.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may also contain other affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

[i] McEwen B.S. “Estrogen Effects on the Brain: Much More than Sex” Karger Gazette, Rockefeller University No. 66 Hormones (source)

[ii] Zhang Y, Xiao X, Zhang XM, Zhao ZQ, Zhang YQ. “Estrogen facilitates spinal cord synaptic transmission via membrane-bound estrogen receptors: implications for pain hypersensitivity.” J Biol Chem. 2012;287(40):33268-33281 (source)

[iii] Baskaran, C., Cunningham, B., Plessow, F., Singhal, V., Woolley, R., Ackerman, K. E., Slattery, M., Lee, H., Lawson, E. A., Eddy, K., & Misra, M. (2017). “Estrogen Replacement Improves Verbal Memory and Executive Control in Oligomenorrheic/Amenorrheic Athletes in a Randomized Controlled Trial.” The Journal of clinical psychiatry78(5), e490–e497 (source)

[iv] Nakamura, N., Fujita, H., & Kawata, M. (2002). “Effects of gonadectomy on immunoreactivity for choline acetyltransferase in the cortex, hippocampus, and basal forebrain of adult male rats.” Neuroscience,109(3), 473–485. (source)

[v] Adler, A., Vescovo, P., Robinson, J. K., & Kritzer, M. F. (1999). “Gonadectomy in adult life increases tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the prefrontal cortex and decreases open field activity in male rats.” Neuroscience89(3), 939–954 (source)

[vi] Jovanovic H., Kocoska-Maras L., Radestad A. F., Halldin C., Borg J., Hirschberg A. L., et al. . (2014). “Effects of estrogen and testosterone treatment on serotonin transporter binding in the brain of surgically postmenopausal women—a PET study.” Neuroimage 106C, 47–54 (source)

[vii] Baulieu, E. E. Neurosteroids: of the nervous system, by the nervous system, for the nervous system. Recent Progress in Hormone Research. 1, 1–10 (1998). (source)

[viii] Bain J. (2007). “The many faces of testosterone.” Clinical interventions in aging2(4), 567–576. (Source)

[ix] Mellon, S. H., Griffin, L. D., & Compagnone, N. A. (2001). Biosynthesis and action of neurosteroids. Brain research. Brain research reviews37(1-3), 3–12 (source)

[x] Ubuka T., Son Y. L., Tobari Y., Narihiro M., Bentley G. E., Kriegsfeld L. J., et al. . (2014). Central and direct regulation of testicular activity by gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone and its receptor. Front. Endocrinol. (Lausanne). 5:8. 10.3389/fendo.2014.00008. (Source)

[xi] Mellon, S. H., & Griffin, L. D. (2002). Neurosteroids: biochemistry and clinical significance. Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM13(1), 35–43 (source)

[xii] Brocca, M. E., & Garcia-Segura, L. M. (2019). Non-reproductive Functions of Aromatase in the Central Nervous System Under Physiological and Pathological Conditions. Cellular and molecular neurobiology39(4), 473–481 (source)

[xiii] Young J.M., McNeilly A.S. “Theca: the forgotten cell of the ovarian follicle” Society for Reproduction and Fertility Volume 140: Issue 4: 489–504 (source)

[xiv] Wåhlin-Jacobsen, S., Pedersen, A. T., Kristensen, E., Laessøe, N. C., Lundqvist, M., Cohen, A. S., Hougaard, D. M., & Giraldi, A. (2015). Is there a correlation between androgens and sexual desire in women?. The journal of sexual medicine12(2), 358–373 (source)

[xv] Davis, S. R., & Wahlin-Jacobsen, S. (2015).” Testosterone in women–the clinical significance.” The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology3(12), 980–992. (Source)

[xvi] Cui J, Shen Y, Li R. Estrogen synthesis and signaling pathways during aging: from periphery to brain. Trends in Molecular Medecine. 2013;19(3):197-209. (source)

[xvii] Cohen J, Nassau DE, Patel P, Ramasamy R. Low Testosterone in Adolescents & Young Adults [published correction appears in Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Jul 14;11:449]. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020;10:916. (Source)

[xviii] Katz J, Yue S, Xue W, Gao H. “Increased odds ratio for erectile dysfunction in COVID-19 patients.” J Endocrinol Invest. 2022;45(4):859-864. (source)

[xix] McBride, J. A., Carson, C. C., 3rd, & Coward, R. M. (2016). “Testosterone deficiency in the aging male.” Therapeutic advances in urology8(1), 47–60. (Source)

[xx] Davis S. (2001). “Testosterone deficiency in women.” The Journal of reproductive medicine46(3 Suppl), 291–296. (Source)

[xxi] “Causes – Schizophrenia” NHS UK (source)

[xxii] Siddiqui AN, Siddiqui N, Khan RA, et al. “Neuroprotective Role of Steroidal Sex Hormones: An Overview. CNS Neurosci Ther.” 2016;22(5):342-350. (source)

[xxiii] Garcia-Ovejero D, González S, Paniagua-Torija B, et al. “Progesterone reduces secondary damage, preserves white matter, and improves locomotor outcome after spinal cord contusion.” J Neurotrauma. 2014;31(9):857-871. (source)

[xxiv] Sicotte, N. L., Liva, S. M., Klutch, R., Pfeiffer, P., Bouvier, S., Odesa, S., Wu, T. C., & Voskuhl, R. R. (2002). “Treatment of multiple sclerosis with the pregnancy hormone estriol. Annals of neurology” 52(4), 421–428 (source)

[xxv] Voskuhl, R. R., Wang, H., Wu, T. C., Sicotte, N. L., Nakamura, K., Kurth, F., Itoh, N., Bardens, J., Bernard, J. T., Corboy, J. R., Cross, A. H., Dhib-Jalbut, S., Ford, C. C., Frohman, E. M., Giesser, B., Jacobs, D., Kasper, L. H., Lynch, S., Parry, G., Racke, M. K., … Elashoff, R. (2016). “Estriol combined with glatiramer acetate for women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.” The Lancet. Neurology15(1), 35–46. (source)

[xxvi] Justice AJ, de Wit H. “Acute effects of estradiol pretreatment on the response to d-amphetamine in women.” Neuroendocrinology. 2000;71(1):51–59. (source)

[xxvii] White, T. L., Justice, A. J., & de Wit, H. (2002). “Differential subjective effects of D-amphetamine by gender, hormone levels and menstrual cycle phase.” Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior73(4), 729–741 (source)

[xxviii] Quinn PO. “Treating adolescent girls and women with ADHD: gender-specific issues.” J Clin Psychol. 2005;61(5):579–587 (source)

[xxix] Cherrier MM, Matsumoto AM, Amory JK, et al. “Characterization of verbal and spatial memory changes from moderate to supraphysiological increases in serum testosterone in healthy older men.” Psych neuroendocrinology. 2007;32(1):72-79. (source)

[xxx] Walther, A., Breidenstein, J., & Miller, R. (2019). Association of Testosterone Treatment With Alleviation of Depressive Symptoms in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA psychiatry76(1), 31–40 (source)

[xxxi] Hajianfar H, Karimi E, Mollaghasemi N, Rezaei S, Arab A. “Is there a relationship between serum vitamin D and semen parameters? A cross-sectional sample of the Iranian infertile men.” Basic Clin Androl. 2021;31(1):29. (source)

[xxxii] Pilz, S., Frisch, S., Koertke, H., Kuhn, J., Dreier, J., Obermayer-Pietsch, B., Wehr, E., & Zittermann, A. (2011).” Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men.” Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme43(3), 223–225. (Source)

[xxxiii] Netter, A., Hartoma, R., & Nahoul, K. (1981). “Effect of zinc administration on plasma testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and sperm count. “Archives of andrology7(1), 69–73. (Source)

[xxxiv] Ambiye, V. R., Langade, D., Dongre, S., Aptikar, P., Kulkarni, M., & Dongre, A. (2013). “Clinical Evaluation of the Spermatogenic Activity of the Root Extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Oligospermic Males: A Pilot Study.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM2013, 571420. (Source)

[xxxv] Marbat M, Ali M, Hadi AM. “The use of Nigella sativa as a single agent in treatment of male infertility.” Tikrit J Pharma Sci. 2013;9:19–29. (source)

[xxxvi] Mares, A. K., & Najam, W. S. (2012). “The effect of Ginger on semen parameters and serum FSH, LH & testosterone of infertile men.” Tikrit Med J18(2), 322-9.(Source)

[xxxvii] Maheshwari A, Verma N, Swaroop A, et al. “Efficacy of FurosapTM, a novel Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract, in Enhancing Testosterone Level and Improving Sperm Profile in Male Volunteers.” Int J Med Sci. 2017;14(1):58-66. (source)

[xxxviii] Shukla, K. K., Mahdi, A. A., Ahmad, M. K., Shankhwar, S. N., Rajender, S., & Jaiswar, S. P. (2009). “Mucuna pruriens improves male fertility by its action on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.” Fertility and sterility92(6), 1934–1940 (source)

[xxxix] Li, Y., Ren, J., Li, N., Liu, J., Tan, S. C., Low, T. Y., & Ma, Z. (2020). “A dose-response and meta-analysis of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on testosterone levels: perinatal prediction of randomized clinical trials.” Experimental gerontology141, 111110 (source)

[xl] Jones H.E., Conrad H.S. “The growth and decline of intelligence: a study of a homogeneous group between the ages of ten and sixty.” Genet. Psychol. Monogr. 1933; 13: 223-298

[xli] Baker J.M., Al-Nakkash L., Herbst-Kralovetz M. “Estrogen-gut microbiome axis: Physiological and clinical implications” Maturitas VOLUME 103, P45-53, SEPTEMBER 01, 2017 (source)

[xlii] Boets E., Deroover L., Houben E., Vermeulen K., Gomand S.V., Delcour J.A., Verbeke K. “Quantification of in Vivo Colonic Short Chain Fatty Acid Production from Inulin.” Nutrients 2015 Oct 28;7(11):8916-29 (source)

[xliii] “Soy isoflavones” National Cancer Institute (source)

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Join The Discussion - 31 comments

Shahzad mohiuddin
September 15, 2024

Hi David,

I take ashwaghandha from high tech pharmaceuticals. It conains the ksm-66 and ashwapure. U take one pill I’m the morning and one pill in the afternoon.

I had a blood test done by my pcp to check my testosterone levels. My free count is 28.0. And my regular count is 703. My doctor told me to decrease the dose of ashwaghandha since it’s outside the 8.7-25 pg/mL range. But is it really?? I.wanted to double check with you. Because I really lile the supplement and I’m only taking twice a day. What are your thoughts?

    David Tomen
    September 16, 2024

    Shahzad, your labs are only part of this picture. It is how you feel that is most important. For example, I feel normal with total testosterone at 1300 which freaks out most doctors. Fortunately, I work with a urologist who understands that how the patient feels is more important than if that lab numbers are strictly within range.

    Now, I’m not a doctor and don’t even play one on TV. This is purely my opinion. But if it was me I’d be looking for a new doctor.:-)

Diana
July 14, 2024

Hi David,
Thank you so much for all your work. It has been years now that I always come back to your website to learn.

    David Tomen
    July 15, 2024

    Thanks Diane. Welcome back!

Ron
August 25, 2023

Can we take Adrenal Glandula supplements for better adrenal function? Will it help the adrenals to naturally balance out hormones such as cortisol and DHEA instead to take DHEA exterally? Is this method safer in the long run?

    David Tomen
    September 13, 2023

    Ron, I use an adrenal glandular supplement 3 – 4 times per day because I deal with adrenal fatigue. It does not help my adrenals work better. But gives my body what my adrenals cannot produce on their own. And I use a DHEA supplement twice per day because my adrenals cannot produce enough on their own.

Jatin
July 19, 2023

Does shilajit increases testosterone? I took it for nootropic benefits and feel my rumination has reduced a lot. Although, I really don’t know as I also started with “Shoden ashwagandha”.

I currently take nootropicsdepot’s Primave shilajit and it is good. I’m planning to try Sayan brand shilajit in future. Do you have any other shilajit brands to suggest?

Thanks.

Jatin
July 19, 2023

Thanks for the great information David!

I wanted to share that there is a great app to track vitamin D levels called “dminder” while taking in sunlight.

Further, I wanted to ask whether just sunlight is enough for daily D3 requirements or should we supplement?

Secondly, do we need to supplement with vitamin k2 if taking in d3 via sunlight?

Lastly, is milk kefir an adequate source for k2 if one has to supplement it?

Thanks a lot.

    David Tomen
    July 25, 2023

    Jatin, I live in Ft. Lauderdale. The land of daily sunshine. I was using 5,000 IU Vitamin D3 every day for years and when I got my labs done a couple years ago I was on the lower third of the bell curve. Took me totally by surprise. I increased my dose to 10,000 IU per day and the next time I got my labs done I was in the middle of the bell curve.

    Some can get enough Vitamin D3 from sun exposure. But everyone is different. You need to get your labs done to know for sure. Then adjust your D3 dose accordingly. Adding K2 helps get calcium out of your blood and into your bones where it belongs. I get enough K2 from the Multi I’m using for that purpose. But sorry, I do not know about Kefir.

Elijah
July 2, 2023

hello sir, i’ve been planning on taking aromatase inhibitors at 18 in order to slow down my growth plate closure. unfortunately, this lowers estrogen, and while i do not plan to crash my levels, i do still plan on having my estrogen levels at somewhat healthy levels (>10 <20). what could i take in order to prevent any potential brain damage from lowered estrogen?

    David Tomen
    July 8, 2023

    Elijah, low estrogen will affect everything else going on in your brain. Including how neurotransmitters work for things like learning, memory and mood.

    Your brain will recover once you restore your estrogen (and testosterone) levels. The thing is you can also have the best nootropic stack specifically designed for Elijah. But it will not provide its full benefit if your hormone levels are not optimized. That’s just the way it was designed to work. Everything needs to be in balance.

    The light at the end of this tunnel is you are only 18. The human brain at that age is still growing and has an amazing ability to recover and heal. But I am not sure if you will cause lasting damage during this growth period (until you are 25) if you are messing with your hormone levels. That question must be asked of a neurosurgeon who understands hormones.

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