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No sane man would willingly walk a path where a hungry lion sleeps. The fear of it attacking—aggressing—at any moment far outweighs the benefit of crossing that path.
In a similar vein, most people tend to avoid situations where aggressive behavior among people runs rampant. From violent criminals to hyper-aggressive thugs, we try our best to distance ourselves from people who are stereotypically aggressive beyond repair.
And rightfully so. It’s no secret that many members of society find repulsive acts and violence repulsive, especially within society’s organized and structured rules. Most of us have suppressed our animalistic tendencies, being largely capable of coherent thought and proper conduct.
Regardless, humans haven’t weeded out their aggressive behavior entirely. Even your average Joe might occasionally allow depictions of aggression to escape in some form, whether it’s through shouting at their partner or engaging in some form of road rage.
Depending on our temperament and environment, some form of aggression and assertiveness may need to kick in, especially when survival is on the line.
With all that said, aggression isn’t always a negative thing. In fact, some people find aggression to be an incredible source of motivation and determination. These individuals can often excel in entrepreneurship, business, and competition due to their proactive attitudes toward completing tasks.
The connection between testosterone and aggression is a fascinating one. Let’s take a look into how they’re connected, the good and the bad about this connection, and how to get optimal testosterone levels.
Testosterone Research from Aggressive Male Populations
For decades, researchers have been studying the connection between testosterone and aggression. One of the most common environments in which these types of studies have been conducted is in prison populations.
A prison setting is recognized as a place where dominant personalities tend to prevail, and weaker ones tend to suffer.
One of these studies was conducted on a specific demographic: inmates in prison for committing violent crimes. What researchers found was that those who had committed acts of violence during adolescence tended to have higher levels of testosterone than those who had not committed violent crimes.
Furthermore, the study also reported that these inmates who had committed violent crimes throughout adolescence were more aggressive than those who had not.
In another study featuring 89 prisoners who are healthy young males, researchers found that higher testosterone levels correlated with increasing frequency and seriousness of violent crimes.
From that study, ten out of 11 of the inmates with the highest testosterone levels had committed violent offenses, whereas 9 out of 11 who had committed non-violent crimes had the lowest count of testosterone levels.
With this information, it may be safe to assume that a connection can be linked between testosterone levels and aggression.
However, data is limited in environments that free men participate in. Moreover, according to a published review, much of the data acquired from studies featuring prisoners are also self-reported, which can add to the questionability of the intensity and the claims made by these participants.
Testosterone Rage in Competitive Environments
While other studies correlating aggression and testosterone levels are rare, it’s not completely isolated to just prisoners either. The connection between testosterone and human aggression has also been scientifically studied in men outside a prison setting.
One of the more notable environments where testosterone levels have been studied is during competition.
A study was conducted on six tennis players across six different tennis games. For all players, normal testosterone levels peaked just before the match. The players who felt the most confidence going into the match reported the highest testosterone levels.
After a match, participants who won had higher testosterone levels than those who had lost. Winners who thought that they performed exceptionally well reported even higher testosterone levels. In contrast, those who lost had a smaller testosterone count than their pre-match count.
With this information, albeit limited in sample size, it can be assumed that high testosterone counts can sometimes lead to increased competitiveness. This may, in turn, lead to feelings of dominance in a field where one is expected to excel.
Is Testosterone a Good or Bad Thing?
The short answer: it’s neither good nor bad, but men will benefit greatly from it falling under the normal range ofaround 300 to 1,000 ng/dL.
Despite all the negative connotations of hyper-aggressive behavior and high testosterone levels, testosterone plays a more important role than you think.
The fact of the matter is this: most humans—both men and women—need testosterone to encourage the continuation of key processes throughout our body.
Testosterone’s role consists of the following:
- Promoting protein synthesis, which helps increase muscle mass
- Sperm production in the testicles
- Desire for sexual intercourse
- Deeper voice, hairier arms and legs, and secondary male characteristics
- Improved concentration and mood
- Better sexual arousal and sexual function
If you feel that you have low testosterone in your body, you may feel fatigued, weak, and irritable. You’ll also suffer from worse sex life, as these sex hormones are vital for promoting reproduction and sexual behavior.
Although there is some research correlating testosterone with aggression, it isn’t a sole indicator of one’s propensity towards aggressive behavior or not.
Most men with high testosterone counts are still very much capable of being decent and civil members of society.
Nonetheless, if you feel that symptoms of aggression and impaired sexual function interfere with your quality of life, consult with a doctor for testosterone treatment.
How to Improve Testosterone Levels
If you’re looking to resolve the symptoms of low testosterone and erectile dysfunction, here are some treatment options you can opt for.
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Eat A Protein-Rich Diet
- Exercise and Build Your Muscles
- Participate in Weight Loss
- Avoid Smoking and Drinking Excessively
By undergoing positive lifestyle changes or considering male multivitamins under the supervision of a doctor, you can reap the benefits and improve testosterone levels in no time.
Consult Cleveland’s Leading Men’s Wellness Clinic for Testosterone Evaluation and Treatment Options
High testosterone levels and aggressive behavior is a link that’s been explored and confirmed by independent researchers.
Both humans and animals can show signs of it, but most people have the capacity to suppress instances of aggression due to human empathy and societal and familial inhibitions.
If you have a high baseline testosterone level, contact a sexual health professional to help you and those you love with a testosterone replacement therapy treatment.
The medical professionals at Precise Men’s Medical Center in Cleveland specialize in treating conditions that impact men’s health, including testosterone imbalances. Our concierge approach positions your unique case at the centerpoint of our focus. We don’t just give you a pill for ED or Low-T and send you on your way. We treat the underlying issues that led to conditions such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low testosterone, and more. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.