Hormones on Steroids with Dr. Aniket Sidhaye

About This Episode

How do hormones affect us? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly explore the body’s endocrine system, steroids, hormones, and how we can hack it with Associate Professor of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Dr. Aniket Sidhaye

What does the endocrine system do? Learn about the body’s chemical messenger system and how it maintains homeostasis. Discover the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, and the pancreas. How do hormones play into epigenetics? We talk about points of failure within the system and what can go wrong.  

What is a steroid? We discuss conditions caused by imbalances in the endocrine system like hypercortisolism and diabetes. Learn more about testosterone and what it does to the body. Can you really hack the endocrine system to gain an advantage? We get into testosterone ranges and how it changes as people age. 

What role do hormones play in gender? Learn about natural testosterone ranges across genders and the case of Caster Semenya. What genetic advantages are considered fair and which ones are considered unfair? How do athletes with diabetes maintain homeostasis and play their sport? Finally, find out about recent technological solutions that allow people with diabetes to live more normally. 

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About the prints that flank Neil in this video:
“Black Swan” & “White Swan” limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver.