Personality Changes from Long-term Androgen Use

[sneak007]

I've been using gear for 3-4 years now, and have experienced a big change in thoughts/opinions/beliefs.


While I consider it a positive thing, I'm curious how much of this can be attributed to the Androgens.

I would be interested to hear other reports from anyone who has or has not seen this firsthand..and whether or not steroid use can give users a more 'manly' or masculine mindset.

Please share

 

[sneak007]

More about my experience:
I have masculine instincts that I never had before such as
-holding doors open for women (not for attention)
-Feeling protective over loved ones
-Valuing work and family above all else
-Demonstrating strength through autonomy/asking for help only when necessary
-Being tough, no complaining

I feel like these are values that are meant to be passed down from father's to their sons. The wisdom of an eon of evolution, rolled up into a chemical messenger hormone

. Men in our society seems to have largely fallen out of touch with their masculinity . Perhaps that coincides with the drop in male testosterone levels in USA? I mean hell, men are so out of touch that they want to be trannies suddenly.

Anyway, I'm glad I can see the importance of these traditions now, and I have a sneaking suspicion that blasting test for years straight had something to do with my sudden sense of clarity. But, who knows?

 

[HKOX]

TRT made me care about fashion again! Which is related to the pursuit of status.

 

[explodingHeart]

I was much more angry and aggressive in my 20s and early 30s before I ever touched a single drug.

As soon as I took test, I calmed down.

This is probably all in your head.

 

[xrayphoton13]

There's probably a professional field that would be better able to answer this like a neuropsychology? I'm not sure. But all the examples you said you noticed you are now doing are things I've always done, that my mom or dad or friends taught me, or that I picked up from watching others along the way. My natural test levels are mid 200s and naturally low sperm count. I've noticed no difference getting on trt and having my levels up at 1600ng/dl or 3200, or even 6000. Only change is I'm more energetic and not so tired. But my thoughts and feelings and views or confidence haven't changed
Maybe it's an age thing. I'm almost 40 and started trt just a few years ago.
Are you young and going through college? Maybe that's why your views are changing.

 

[Bandern]

I became a Fox News dad and started doing my own oil changes

 

[cousinmuscles]

More about my experience:
I have masculine instincts that I never had before such as
-holding doors open for women (not for attention)
-Feeling protective over loved ones
-Valuing work and family above all else
-Demonstrating strength through autonomy/asking for help only when necessary
-Being tough, no complaining

I feel like these are values that are meant to be passed down from father's to their sons. The wisdom of an eon of evolution, rolled up into a chemical messenger hormone

. Men in our society seems to have largely fallen out of touch with their masculinity . Perhaps that coincides with the drop in male testosterone levels in USA? I mean hell, men are so out of touch that they want to be trannies suddenly.

Anyway, I'm glad I can see the importance of these traditions now, and I have a sneaking suspicion that blasting test for years straight had something to do with my sudden sense of clarity. But, who knows?

That sounds like secondary effects of what you took. Meaning, you got your life in order, your priorities straight, and got shit done.

 

[Ghoul]

The "dominance" behavior of high T levels is generally positive imo, but it's a different story when natural levels are significantly exceeded for many years or decades as is increasingly common. It would be wise to keep this in mind and protect your brain like you would your liver or heart.

Long term use of supra-physiologic doses of AAS have been clearly shown to induce changes in the brain (thinning of the pre-frontal cortex for instance), that are associated with emotional blunting, cognitive rigidity, uncertainty intolerance, and impaired reverse learning.

In other words, a loss of intellectual flexibility and impaired problem solving similar to what's seen in neurodegeneration in the elderly, an inability to adapt to new information, and manifests itself as hostility in ambiguous situations or changed circumstances. (if you pay close attention, you can see that behavior among some long term users here).

So for example, when rodents learn to follow a path, turn left (vs right) and push a button with their nose to receive a food treat are given high dose AAS long enough to cause thinning of the prefrontal cortex, when the reward supplying button is changed to the right, their non-AAS exposed counterparts quickly figure it out, but they don't, remaining stuck in the same pattern for a long time and become increasingly aggressive.

Most of the damage is related to oxidation and inflammation from androgen receptors being overdriven. A lot of compounds can help reduce this oxidative stress. GLPs seem very effective.

"“Pre‑frontal cortex is associated with numerous cognitive functions, such as self‑regulation, mental flexibility, attention and inhibition… dependent AAS users had significantly thinner cortex in pre‑frontal regions"

"Testosterone-induced oxidative stress in brain tissue has been associated with impaired memory and neuroinflammation."

Cognitive performance and structural brain correlates in long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid exposed and nonexposed weightlifters - PubMed

Prolonged high-dose AAS use is associated with poorer cognitive function across multiple domains, and the observed regional associations between cortical brain morphometry and memory and working memory performance may suggest differential brain-based mechanisms. The public, health care...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

There are hundreds of studies from the 80's up to now all pointing in a similar direction to this.

 

[cousinmuscles]

In other words, a loss of intellectual flexibility and impaired problem solving similar to what's seen in neurodegeneration in the elderly, an inability to adapt to new information, and manifests itself as hostility in ambiguous situations or changed circumstances. (if you pay close attention, you can see that behavior among some long term users here).

This is nothing compared to what happens to peoples brains when they inject misfolded proteins.

 

[Slowww]

Yes my personality has totally changed. Now Im bigger, Chad super alpha male and I am jacked, women hate me, men hate me more, but because they want to be me, not because I am rude and pushy to them.

To be honest, not really. It’s difficult to quantify how much events/experience, relationships, and environment change an already basically developed personality. I couldn’t say YES steroids changed who I fundamentally am, and I couldn’t really even say with a reasonable level of certainty that AAS altered my personality to a meaningful degree.

 

[Oldhand]

@sneak007

It’s hard to say… maybe gear made you more confident… maybe 3-4 years of living has matured you even more… hard to say.

Whatever it is, good job! I hope all of us can look back in time and know we have improved a little every day.

 

[sneak007]

The "dominance" behavior of high T levels is generally positive imo, but it's a different story when natural levels are significantly exceeded for many years or decades as is increasingly common. It would be wise to keep this in mind and protect your brain like you would your liver or heart.

Long term use of supra-physiologic doses of AAS have been clearly shown to induce changes in the brain (thinning of the pre-frontal cortex for instance), that are associated with emotional blunting, cognitive rigidity, uncertainty intolerance, and impaired reverse learning.

In other words, a loss of intellectual flexibility and impaired problem solving similar to what's seen in neurodegeneration in the elderly, an inability to adapt to new information, and manifests itself as hostility in ambiguous situations or changed circumstances. (if you pay close attention, you can see that behavior among some long term users here).

So for example, when rodents learn to follow a path, turn left (vs right) and push a button with their nose to receive a food treat are given high dose AAS long enough to cause thinning of the prefrontal cortex, when the reward supplying button is changed to the right, their non-AAS exposed counterparts quickly figure it out, but they don't, remaining stuck in the same pattern for a long time and become increasingly aggressive.

Most of the damage is related to oxidation and inflammation from androgen receptors being overdriven. A lot of compounds can help reduce this oxidative stress. GLPs seem very effective.

"“Pre‑frontal cortex is associated with numerous cognitive functions, such as self‑regulation, mental flexibility, attention and inhibition… dependent AAS users had significantly thinner cortex in pre‑frontal regions"

"Testosterone-induced oxidative stress in brain tissue has been associated with impaired memory and neuroinflammation."

Cognitive performance and structural brain correlates in long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid exposed and nonexposed weightlifters - PubMed

Prolonged high-dose AAS use is associated with poorer cognitive function across multiple domains, and the observed regional associations between cortical brain morphometry and memory and working memory performance may suggest differential brain-based mechanisms. The public, health care...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

There are hundreds of studies from the 80's up to now all pointing in a similar direction to this.

That's interesting. I knew it aged your brain faster but apparently they have it nailed down to specific impairments.
While I'm a juice head for life,I do load up on the anti-oxidants . My newest supplement is topical DMSO. Good for systemic inflammation and free radical scavenging. It's been a game changer

 

[MadaFacor]

For me: I became more assertive. More passionate. More caring. Less willing to accept bullshit. My wife and kids have said I am a better father and husband. People I worked for were amazed. I am positive and working towards betterment on all fronts. One negative, I have to work hard to bite my tongue. I almost lost a multi-million dollar customer last week after 10 workers comp claims in a month. I told them the truth, directly, and honestly. But I could of had the conversation privately with the stake holders instead of blasting the whole leadership team. Lesson learned.

 

[HeatherSwanson]

Been on for so long now I don't honestly know.
However, I do know that I'm the only guy I know that sleeps 4-6 hours a night, works 10-12 hours 5-7 days a week, trains 5 days a week and NEEDS to fuck 5 times a week.

I'm constantly disgusted in beta, whinny, bitching low energy, low yield computer hands "men". I have zero tolerance for pussy shit and often want to scream in peoples faces telling them to harden the fuck up and get on with the task.

I also often wonder if I'd be them without the gear, or me being me is the reason for the gear? I love shiny new or old well maintained things. All my stuff is squared away, haircut - tight, truck - clean, GF's ass - whooty booty, bike - shining, taxes - paid, employees - held to the same standard I hold myself. I often see that low test fatties aren't like this.

I'm just about the most disagreeable person I know, but often change my mind if there's a better option. I have an incentive system in place for someone changing processes that drive innovation, costs me a small fortune every year.

More caring and considerate of those I love and quick to cast away those that are not in the inner circle. Significantly more territorial of my women and children than other men I know. I also want to cuddle more than when I was in my 20's.

I think testosterone has made me 1960's dad. Hard line conservative and basically disregarding almost everything that doesn't serve me. My life's fucking awesome. I'm better for it.

 

[4Drago]

Nope... real woman do all that as well.

Taking gear is a choice. Don't get caught up in the "self justification game". And definitely don't go to forums in an attempt to get "group justification" on top of it. Without trying to sound like the all knowing professor or Guru, I hope you can understand my point.

Use gear knowing it will effect your health in the long run. This mind set hopefully keeps you on your toes with continually monitoring your health and take long breaks. Don't be dose stupid and do the 500mg tren and 2g test bullcrap.

Gear will build confidence. With confidence some people choose to either be jerks or they choose to do like you have, and be a better person.

 

[MadaFacor]

Don't be dose stupid and do the 500mg tren and 2g test bullcrap

This.

 

[HeatherSwanson]

Nope... real woman do all that as well.

Taking gear is a choice. Don't get caught up in the "self justification game". And definitely don't go to forums in an attempt to get "group justification" on top of it. Without trying to sound like the all knowing professor or Guru, I hope you can understand my point.

Use gear knowing it will effect your health in the long run. This mind set hopefully keeps you on your toes with continually monitoring your health and take long breaks. Don't be dose stupid and do the 500mg tren and 2g test bullcrap.

Gear will build confidence. With confidence some people choose to either be jerks or they choose to do like you have, and be a better person.

Wait... More isn't more? Lol

 

[RzSco]

More about my experience:
I have masculine instincts that I never had before such as
-holding doors open for women (not for attention)
-Feeling protective over loved ones
-Valuing work and family above all else
-Demonstrating strength through autonomy/asking for help only when necessary
-Being tough, no complaining

I can’t see this being due to AAS use, it’s more likely due to other life factors that may or may not have been influenced by people treating you better due to having a roided body.


I may have been on test for 7 years but my life has gone to shit and all my behaviour now can just be characterised as desperate and neurotic. I am a shadow of who I once was and I know it, but maybe i took test for the wrong reasons (to get girls) on the first place.

 

[HeatherSwanson]

I can’t see this being due to AAS use, it’s more likely due to other life factors that may or may not have been influenced by people treating you better due to having a roided body.


I may have been on test for 7 years but my life has gone to shit and all my behaviour now can just be characterised as desperate and neurotic. I am a shadow of who I once was and I know it, but maybe i took test for the wrong reasons (to get girls) on the first place.

Sorry to read that youre feeling your life has gone to shit. Life comes in seasons, there's dark cold periods and summer months.

I find test to be an amplifier for some. Maybe whatever self imposed limitations you have in your thought process are working against you.

 

[Tbaz192]

Been on for so long now I don't honestly know.
However, I do know that I'm the only guy I know that sleeps 4-6 hours a night, works 10-12 hours 5-7 days a week, trains 5 days a week and NEEDS to fuck 5 times a week.

I'm constantly disgusted in beta, whinny, bitching low energy, low yield computer hands "men". I have zero tolerance for pussy shit and often want to scream in peoples faces telling them to harden the fuck up and get on with the task.

I’m right there with you. Sleep has never been great for me. I work a labor intensive job. Demo/Junk removal. Some days are easy. Some are hell. Especially outside in 115 degree dry heat moving and wrecking thousands of pounds.
I’m very short and concise. Since getting on gear. I don’t like to pussy foot around or have bullshit happen. Especially with work and gym. If you’re lacking emotional intelligence, I already hate you & can’t stand you. Grow the fuck up (@ most of my co workers/employee).
Everyone now a days are such fucking pussies. Glued to their phone and crying over social media driven things. I was born in the wrong generation.

Currently dealing with tanked ferritin and fuck am I exhausted. But it doesn’t mean I get to bitch and complain or cry about it too much. Still have work to do and shit to fuck up.
I’ll be on FD here next year. Also trying to run a business. So that means even less sleep and more stress. But man I kinda live for that shit. The “pain and suffering” is worth it. Another reason I got into bodybuilding. Ain’t gonna get shit if you don’t work hard.

OP…Has TRT / gear changed my personality/way of thinking? 100%.
I’m 27 and I don’t get along with people my age. I’m an old soul now.
I have a girl now and man is she my world. We got one life. Gotta fucking work hard and for everything you want/have.