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There's a lot of misinformation out there
about what it means to be transgender,

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but recently, scientists
have begun to look more closely

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into the neurology,
physiology and psychology behind it.

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So today, we're going to break down
what science <i>does</i> know

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in a respectful and educational way.

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Hey, guys, I'm Gigi Gorgeous
and today I'm here with AsapSCIENCE

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to break down
the science of being transgender.

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Before we get too deep into it,

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we have to look at your <i>genetic sex</i>
or the chromosomes you have.

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These were determined
right at fertilization,

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when the sperm cell from your father,
which carries an X or a Y chromosome,

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fused with the egg from your mother,
which carries an X chromosome.

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But until six or seven weeks
after fertilization,

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both XY and XX embyos
have identical gonads.

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Around seven weeks,
the male sex organs start to develop

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because of a gene
on the Y chromosome called <i>SRY</i>.

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It causes cells to become more specialized

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and these cells create testosterone,

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which in turn triggers the development
of structures like the penis and scrotum,

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while other cells block female development
by degenerating the female ducts.

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However, in female development,

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because there is no Y chromosome
with the SRY gene,

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these ducts stay intact
and become the uterus, cervix,

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upper vagina and the oviduct,

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with the help of estrogen and chemicals
secreted by the early kidney.

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But it's not always that simple.

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There are sometimes
even rare combinations like XXY,

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XXX, XXYY, etcetera,

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and even people with XX chromosomes

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that develop
male genitals and characteristics,

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due to a piece of the Y chromosome
breaking off

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and switching places to an X chromosome.

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But sexual differentiation in the brain

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actually happens much later
than gonadal differentiation.

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And yes, although controversial,
male and female brains

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have structural and functional differences
between each other.

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Studies have found that males
generally have a larger cerebrum,

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cerebellum, and hippocampus,

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while females
have higher-density left frontal lobes

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and larger volumes
in the right frontal lobes.

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So what exactly do we see

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when we look at the brain
of a transgender person?

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Several studies
have shown that transgender brains

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are both structurally
and functionally more similar

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to their experienced gender identity
than their biological sex.

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One study found that trans women who,
despite being assigned male at birth,

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had a smaller female-sized structure
in the hypothalamus.

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MRI scans also show
the brain structures of trans people

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to be more similar in thickness

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to their experienced gender
and not their sex.

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Finally, the pheromone androstadienone

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causes different hypothalamic responses
in male and female brains.

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And when individuals with gender dysphoria
were exposed to it,

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the hypothalamic response

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matched their perceived gender
rather than their sex.

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These studies help to highlight

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how masculinization
or feminization of the gonads

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is not always the same as the brain

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and that there's a difference
between your sex or your anatomy

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and your gender
or how we perceive our own bodies.

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There also seems to be a genetic component
to transgender identity.

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Looking at family histories,

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gender identity incongruence
seems to run in the family,

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meaning they may be inherited.

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The CYP17 gene, which controls
the body's level of sex hormones,

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has a changed

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that is expressed frequently in trans men.

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Although more research could be done,

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scientists are currently looking

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at over three million DNA markers
for transgender identity

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to investigate any genetic link for being trans.

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Even though scientific studies validate
the experience of transgender people,

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they're still suffering
from more depression and anxiety

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than the general public.

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The risk of suicide
is more prominent in transgender people

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who have been rejected by their family,

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discriminated in the workplace
or in health care.

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Suicide risks seem to decrease
after gender transitioning,

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suggesting that gender dysphoria

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can cause an extreme amount
of emotional pain,

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even to the point of suicide.

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If you, a family member or a friend
is suffering from gender dysphoria,

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there are a few links in the description
for more information.

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Thank you so much, Gigi,
for being part of this video.

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It means so much, and we're happy
that you were here to do this with us.

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Thank you guys
for using your channel, your platform,

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validating transgender experiences
with science,

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which just brings us closer to equality.

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Absolutely. If you guys
want to check out Gigi's channel,

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we'll put links in the description
or on the screen somewhere.

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Otherwise, you can subscribe
for more science here,

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every week, and we'll see you next time.

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Peace!