Most people, when they hear the word ‹testosterone›, think of hooligans or thugs. Our society is rife with prejudices about the male sex hormone, but according to the article ‹Testosterone—the underestimated hormone› published in ‹Spektrum der Wissenschaft›, these are increasingly proving to be untrue.
It is well known that testosterone promotes muscle growth. What is less well known so far is that high testosterone levels can sometimes be associated with altruistic and fair behavior. An interview with ‹Zeit› featuring Prof. Jun. Dr. Esther Diekhof, a human biologist and neurologist at the University of Hamburg, indicates that men with high testosterone levels are more likely to act in the interests of their group—in other words, they behave like true ‹alpha animals›—natural-born leaders!
It may be true that men with a lot of testosterone in their blood come across as dominant. But who says that is a bad thing? In her viral TED Talk about ‹power posing› and effective body language, Amy Cuddy explains that dominance does not have to go hand in hand with aggression. On the contrary, someone who feels capable of handling a situation—a high testosterone level is associated with greater self-confidence and a winning mentality—does not need to become aggressive in the first place.
For years, research has debated whether and how testosterone levels and mood are connected—the evidence is inconsistent, and depression is a serious illness that belongs in the hands of medical professionals. What interests me about the subject is something else: self-efficacy—the feeling that you can shape your own life. It is one of the strongest known protective factors for mental health and, incidentally, a core topic of salutogenesis.
I do not believe that raising testosterone levels through regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and a healthy diet alone is enough to eliminate clinical depression. But as one component—one additional health resource—as part of a long-term strategy in the spirit of salutogenesis, it can certainly help!
Find out more about the connection between testosterone and Pine Pollen in our comprehensive overview, and about the interplay between testosterone and cortisol in Testosterone and Cortisol: Out of Stress Mode.