High testosterone aggression

Does high testosterone cause aggression?

4 min read

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25 Jul 2023

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  1. The role of testosterone.
  2. Normal testosterone levels.
  3. How does testosterone impact mood?
  4. The impact of high testosterone.
  5. The impact of low testosterone.
  6. How to balance testosterone.

Testosterone has control over many of our bodily functions, and having an imbalance can have a drastic effect on our quality of life. 

Our mental and physical health can suffer, and we may feel we’re getting old before our time. So what can be done to regulate the hormone, and does it really cause reactive aggression?

Role of Testosterone.

There’s no doubting the critical role of testosterone in our bodies. It controls muscle mass, energy levels, and libido and affects mood. Our levels decrease as we age, and while some see it as a natural process of aging, others can be badly affected by it as it takes away a part of their lifestyle that they are far from finished with. 

Testosterone levels drop by about 1% to 1.5% per year at age 40. These low testosterone levels can leave men feeling less energetic, self-assured, and manly.

Normal testosterone levels

But what are normal levels of testosterone?

A testosterone level of at least 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) is normal for healthy young males.

For women, an average testosterone level ranges from 15 to 70 ng/dL. Testosterone levels reach their peak around age 18 or 19 before declining throughout the remainder of adulthood.

How does testosterone impact mood?

Testosterone plays a vital role in our moods as the cells in our brain contain testosterone receptors. When these receptors don’t receive the correct signals from our body due to low testosterone levels, it causes adverse effects such as increased stress, anxiety, depression, mood swings, and depression

Very depressed man

Symptoms of low testosterone in men are often described as part of andropause, the male equivalent of menopause. Women tend to go through a sharp drop in their hormones through menopause, whereas, for men, it tends to be a gradual process. 

The effect that this drop in testosterone can have is huge when it comes to your emotions, and sometimes it can be an indirect effect from another symptom, such as depression due to a low sex drive or erectile dysfunction or because you are tired and unable to sleep.

The impact of high testosterone 

Testosterone and aggression are often linked together when the hormone is discussed. Your levels can be considered high if your total testosterone level is above 950 ng/dL. 

There are various symptoms of high testosterone in males, such as abnormal hair growth, spots, and mood swings. More severe symptoms can be an enlarged prostate, headaches, heart and liver problems, hypertension, weight gain due to increased appetite, insomnia, and aggressive behavior.  

Too much testosterone activates the subcortical areas of the brain to produce aggression, which can result in aggressive behavior.

However, the evidence for this is limited, and it’s actually thought that high testosterone can impact both aggressive and non-aggressive behaviors that enhance social status.

It’s actually thought that low testosterone can impact mood in ways that might not make men more aggressive but more irritable and prone to low mood. 

The impact of low testosterone 

Less than 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) is considered to be a low level. Low testosterone levels can affect your libido and cause physical, sleep, and emotional changes. More severe issues can result in males, such as loss of sex drive and  

How to balance testosterone

When it comes to getting the right testosterone balance, it all comes down to taking some time to look at your personal health more closely. There are several ways to safely and naturally balance testosterone. 

Get plenty of sleep.

Too little sleep may cause a reduction in testosterone levels and can negatively affect our mood, which will also make our hormones unbalanced. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep should be your aim to ensure you feel adequately rested and ready for the day ahead.

Maintain a healthy balanced diet.

Understandably, those with irregular hormone levels may reach for comfort food, but this can worsen the conditions. Make sure you make the right choice for your body, such as plenty of fruit and vegetables, lean, unprocessed meat, and low sugar consumption. Those with a hormone imbalance are also advised to limit alcohol intake as much as possible.

Keep your weight in check.

It’s a good idea to check your weight regularly to ensure you aren’t losing or gaining weight without realizing it. If you’re eating the right nutrients and keeping active, it will go a long way to help this process.

Exercise

Keeping active is critical in regulating your hormones, as it tells your body that you aren’t giving in. Getting the heart and lungs working harder and keeping your body working hard will help keep the hormones in check,

Reduce your stress levels.

It’s sometimes easier said than done but learning to manage your stress levels will go a long way to keeping your testosterone levels balanced. Getting plenty of sleep, taking some time out for yourself, and managing your time a little better are just a few ways.

Man sleeping

There are several ways to keep your levels of testosterone levels in check, and the primary focus should be on your physical and mental health to help get it back in balance. Testoprime is a great way to keep your testosterone levels balanced, and it won’t make your levels too high; it will simply keep them elevated as you get older.