Thanks for expanding on that, mops. You have given me something to think about.
My training partner told me we eat something like 1/5th of a credit card worth of plastic per month. Presumably that plays a role?
Would you say the psychological factors play a hyper-majority role, or that environmental toxins play no role?
There is a man at my gym from Ghana [same as IFBB pro Eddie Abbew], who was able to lift more than me on this chest press machine:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwhGW8Ksjzf/
I was very impressed. I'm fairly certain he's a little older than I am, and in good shape [nice guy too - a nurse from Toronto, via Ghana], but I rarely see anyone do that machine loaded.
He has big triceps, and that probably helps doing it with the hammer grip. But when he loaded it up and did ~6-8 reps...it was surprising.
One thing that came to my mind:
Recent African evolution actually bodes better for producing higher testosterone males. Under the first world environmental conditions you mentioned, it shouldn't be a shock that White men are seeing such a drastic reduction in T levels.
That said, a 50% drop in ~50 years is wild. It's almost like we're evolving to be a totally different kind of human...and in ultra fast time by evolutionary standards.
Matt, there is no denying that environmental factors play a role in all of this.
I recently read an interesting book on this topic : Estrogeneration: How Estrogenics Are Making You Fat, Sick, and Infertile - Dr. Anthony G. Jay
The devastating truth about a class of chemicals called "estrogenics" and how your daily exposures can cause weight-gains, depression, infertility and many other exploding health problems.
In this book, Dr. Anthony G. Jay offers a clear and honest look at:
THE Top 10 List of Everyday Estrogenics
•Cutting-Edge Weight-Loss Strategies
•New Muscle-Mass Building Discoveries
•How Estrogenics "Feminize" Males
•How Estrogenics Harm Children
•3 Detailed Estrogenic Avoidance Plans
•Specific Food/Water Estrogenic Numbers
•Simple Clear Language and Definitions
•The US and EU Legal Status of Estrogenics
•A Direct Exposé on Scientific Bias
•Brand New Epigenetics Discoveries
•Amazing Fishing "Tail" Chapter Openers
An Actionable Summary Appendixe
And much, much MORE...
Also, the gut is full of neurons, so it's not surprising that bad dietary habits directly influence our mental health.
Regardless of hormone levels, I think there is mostly an attitude problem among modern men. No need to check T levels to notice it or use it as an excuse.
Bodybuilders have supraphysiological levels of androgens, yet they are the biggest bitches I have ever seen.
My main point is that
modern psychogenic factors disrupt masculine behaviors.
Neural functions such as emotions, decision making, perception are inhibited.
In short, men passively train their brains to become less masculine. In response, their endocrine system may negatively adapt. Hormones such as testosterone can crash, while others may rise.
Notice how you always hear :"be a man ! Act like a real man. Man-up"
I have yet to hear something similar for women
Emotional resilience, and the act of training your brain to avoid negative thought processes that trigger mental problems in patients is an interesting approach.
Why not apply it to men who struggle with sissiness ?
That's my personal idea, nothing more.
