"If you give a monk testosterone, he’ll probably just start chanting faster and more competitively."

Hi Reader,

I was nerding out reading some of the work of neuroscientist and primatologist Robert Sapolsky and wanted to share a quick insight regarding how we view masculinity and leadership.

We often see a version of status that equates to dominance and aggressive posturing. There is a common assumption that this behavior is a direct result of high testosterone.

However, decades of data suggest that the link is much more complex. Research on primate hierarchies shows that well-entrenched, confident leaders actually get into very few fights and often have lower testosterone levels than the frenetic challengers trying to topple them.

👇🏻 The Testosterone MYTH Nobody Talks About. (1 min)

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In humans, testosterone appears to make us more sensitive to status. In environments where reputation is built on fairness and integrity, the hormone has been shown to enhance fair play and even decrease lying. When men value their own honesty, testosterone can actually make them less likely to cheat because doing so would challenge the high moral status they value in themselves.

So it turns out real status isn't about the volume of your voice; it is about the reliability of the systems you build. Integrity is not just a character trait—it is a biological asset.

Wishing you a great weekend ahead, Reader!

Cheers,

Dr. John Álvarez

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P.S. If you are looking for a grounded strategy for your life or relationships this year, I would be happy to help you navigate that transition.

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