25 Crazy Ways That Hormones Shape your Life

Posted by , Updated on March 22, 2024

We often associate women with the effects of hormones due to common stereotypes. However, it’s crucial to remember that hormones also affect men significantly. Indeed, everyone in the world relies entirely on their endocrine system. If it weren’t for hormones, our existence would be impossible. Our endocrine system essentially regulates all other body systems. Everything from appetite sensations to the rapid beating of our hearts when we’re frightened owes to hormonal control. Without hormones, our survival would only last a few days, if that. One cannot downplay the significance of our endocrine system. Therefore, it’s accurate to say that when someone suggests your behavior is hormone-controlled, they’re not entirely wrong. Hormones govern our bodies and even ensure our survival. Today, we’ll delve into some intriguing facts about how your endocrine glands and hormones shape your behavior and life. These insights may offer a different perspective and armed you with some newfound knowledge about your body. So get ready to learn 25 intriguing ways hormones can positively or negatively impact your life!

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25

Diabetes is the most common endocrine (hormone) disorder in the United States. It affects 8% of the population

Diabetes is the most common endocrine (hormone) disorder in the United States. It affects 8% of the populationSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
24

Breastfeeding releases oxytocin which helps reduce uterine bleeding and causes the uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size

Breastfeeding releases oxytocin which helps reduce uterine bleeding and causes the uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy sizeSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
23

In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates used to test his patients for diabetes by tasting their urine (diabetics have "sweet" urine)

In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates used to test his patients for diabetes by tasting their urine (diabetics have "sweet" urine)Source: wikipedia
22

Alcohol impairs the body's production of antidiuretic hormone, which tells the kidneys to retain water. This is why you end up urinating more and getting dehydrated when you drink alcohol.

Alcohol impairs the body's production of antidiuretic hormone, which tells the kidneys to retain water. This is why you end up urinating more and getting dehydrated when you drink alcohol.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
21

Your eight hormone secreting glands aren't the only things in your body that emit hormones. A woman's placenta, for example, releases estrogen and progesterone. And your stomach releases ghrelin (which induces hunger)

Your eight hormone secreting glands aren't the only things in your body that emit hormones. A woman's placenta, for example, releases estrogen and progesterone. And your stomach releases ghrelin (which induces hunger)Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
20

Scientists have found a positive correlation between vitamin D and testosterone. Loosely speaking, the more sun you get, the higher your testosterone levels

Scientists have found a positive correlation between vitamin D and testosterone. Loosely speaking, the more sun you get, the higher your testosterone levelsSource: nih.gov, Image: wikipedia
19

It was in the 1800s that scientists realized organs must have some sort of chemical communication system. The term "hormone", however, wasn't used until the 1900s

It was in the 1800s that scientists realized organs must have some sort of chemical communication system. The term "hormone", however, wasn't used until the 1900sSource: wikipedia, Image: thebluediamondgallery.org
18

We vividly remember fearful or traumatic moments because our amygdala releases adrenaline, cortisol, and temporarily increases our memory function

We vividly remember fearful or traumatic moments because our amygdala releases adrenaline, cortisol, and temporarily increases our memory functionSource: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
17

Researchers have found that 1 week of camping without electronics re-calibrates our biological clocks and synchronizes our melatonin hormones (responsible for helping us sleep) with the sunrise/sunset

Researchers have found that 1 week of camping without electronics re-calibrates our biological clocks and synchronizes our melatonin hormones (responsible for helping us sleep) with the sunrise/sunsetSource: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
16

Cuddling has been found to release Oxytocin, a hormone that reduces swelling and actually helps heal physical injuries

Cuddling has been found to release Oxytocin, a hormone that reduces swelling and actually helps heal physical injuriesSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
15

You can actually accumulate sleep debt. This means that just because you slept 10 hours each of the last 3 nights, your hormones and other systems haven't fully recuperated from that week where you only slept 3 hours per night. Eventually this can lead to obesity, heart disease, and other negative effects

You can actually accumulate sleep debt. This means that just because you slept 10 hours each of the last 3 nights, your hormones and other systems haven't fully required from that week where you only sleep 3 hours per night. Eventually this can lead to obesity, heart disease, and other negative effectsSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
14

During World War II, the Allies considered injecting estrogen into Hitler's food to make him less aggressive and cause his mustache to fall off

During World War II, the Allies considered injecting estrogen into Hitler's food to make him less aggressive and cause his mustache to fall offSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
13

Women tend to remain in an agitated state for longer than men fallowing arguments because their nervous system and endocrine system remain "charged" for longer.

Women tend to remain in an agitated state for longer than men fallowing arguments because their nervous system and endocrine system remain "charged" for longer.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
12

Wearing sunglasses can actually make you more susceptible to being sunburned. Normally, your eyes sense bright light which tells the pituitary gland to release MSH (Melanocyte-stimulating hormone) which causes more melanin to be released

Wearing sunglasses can actually make you more susceptible to being sunburned. Normally, your eyes sense bright light which tells the pituitary gland to release MSH (Melanocyte-stimulating hormone) which causes more melanin to be releasedSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
11

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel found that the smell of women's tears reduced testosterone levels in men

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel found that the smell of women's tears reduced testosterone levels in menSource: wikipedia, Image: pdpics
10

When you are falling in love your brain releases the same hormones that would be released if you were high on drugs (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin)

When you are falling in love your brain releases the same hormones that would be released if you were high on drugs (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin)Source: wikipedia, Image: pexels
9

Just one night of sleeplessness can trigger insulin resistance which is a major cause of Type 2 Diabetes

Just one night of sleeplessness can trigger insulin resistance which is a major cause of Type 2 DiabetesSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
8

In 1998 NASA grew super fine insulin crystals in space that could help diabetics tremendously.

In 1998 NASA grew super fine insulin crystals in space that could help diabetics tremendously.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
7

Morning-After pills don't cause abortions. They simply prevent fertilization by disrupting ovulation. They contain higher doses of the same hormones found in oral contraceptives pills.

Morning-After pills don't cause abortions. They simply prevent fertilization by disrupting ovulation. They contain higher doses of the same hormones found in oral contraceptives pills.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
6

The body can turn testosterone into estrogen (brain aromatization), but not vice versa

The body can be turn testosterone into estrogen (brain aromatization), but not vice versaSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
5

The overstimulation and abundance of modern society sometimes leads to depression, anxiety, and health problems because our hormonal systems get out of whack (dopamine, insulin, etc)

The overstimulation and abundance of modern society sometimes leads to depression, anxiety, and health problems because our hormonal systems get out of whack (dopamine, insulin, etc)Source: jdmoyer.com, Image: wikipedia
4

Researchers at the University of North Carolina found that hugging for 20 seconds released oxytocin and reduced the risk of heart disease

Researchers at the University of North Carolina found that hugging for 20 seconds released oxytocin and reduced the risk of heart diseaseSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
3

Vitamin D is the only vitamin that is also a hormone. A deficiency can lead to a host of problems including schizophrenia and depression.

Vitamin D is the only vitamin that is also a hormone. A deficiency can lead to a host of problems including schizophrenia and depression.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
2

Androgen insensitivity syndrome is when someone who is genetically male is resistant to male hormones. This means that person has some physical traits of a woman but the genetic makeup of a man.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome is when someone who is genetically male is resistant to male hormones. This means that person has some physical traits of a woman but the genetic makeup of a man.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
1

When Joan Murray's parachute didn't open she slammed into an ant hill going 130 km/h. Doctor's believe that her heart was kept alive due to the adrenaline rush she got from being bitten so many times

When Joan Murray's parachute didn't open she slammed into an ant hill going 130 km/h. Doctor's believe that her heart was kept alive due to the adrenaline rush she got from being bitten so many timesSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia