Mental Capacity
The effects of testosterone on the brain may be broken down into two categories: organizational and activational. Studies have shown that men with higher levels of total testosterone to estrogen had a decreased chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This is because testosterone plays an essential part in maintaining equilibrium within the complex psychological network that consists of a man’s mood, behavior, self-perception, and perceived quality of life at any age. Testosterone has been linked to improvements in cognitive performance, namely linguistic retention and information processing. Several different lines of research have supported this correlation.
Additionally, the symptoms of low testosterone can be emotionally unpleasant, creating a downward spiral that can eventually lead to depression. Low testosterone levels are associated with an increased risk of suicide. When testosterone levels are within the typical range anticipated for healthy men, the association between testosterone and spatial cognition is not as clearly highlighted as in individuals whose testosterone levels are deficient, such as in hypogonadism. When testosterone levels are high, there is a more favorable shift in mood, one that moves from negative to positive. It does this by decreasing the inclination to respond forcefully, affecting aggressiveness.
