1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,960 There's a lot of misinformation out there about what it means to be a transgender 2 00:00:04,380 --> 00:00:05,500 but recently, 3 00:00:05,500 --> 00:00:07,440 Scientists have begun to look into 4 00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:09,560 the Neurology, Physiology, and Psychology 5 00:00:09,560 --> 00:00:11,120 behind it. So today we're gonna 6 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:13,440 break down what Science does know 7 00:00:13,660 --> 00:00:15,660 in a respectful and educational way 8 00:00:15,660 --> 00:00:17,660 Hey guys! I'm Gigi Gorgeous and, 9 00:00:17,940 --> 00:00:19,940 today, I'm here with ASAPScience 10 00:00:19,940 --> 00:00:21,940 to break down Science of Being Transgender 11 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:24,120 Before we get to deep into it, 12 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:26,120 we have to look at your genetic sex. 13 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:28,120 Or the chromosomes you have. These were 14 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:30,120 determined right after fertilization 15 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:32,119 When the sperm cell from your father 16 00:00:32,119 --> 00:00:34,080 which carries an 'X' or a 'Y' chromosome 17 00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:38,000 fuse with the egg from your mother, which carries an 'X' chromosome. 18 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:41,310 But until 6 or 7 weeks after fertilization, 19 00:00:41,620 --> 00:00:43,700 both 'XY' and 'XX' embryos 20 00:00:43,700 --> 00:00:45,100 have identical gonads. 21 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:46,900 Around 7 weeks 22 00:00:46,900 --> 00:00:48,900 the male sex organs start to develop 23 00:00:48,900 --> 00:00:50,900 because of a gene on 'Y' chromosome 24 00:00:50,900 --> 00:00:52,240 called 'SRY' 25 00:00:52,260 --> 00:00:54,260 It causes cells to become more specialized 26 00:00:54,260 --> 00:00:56,260 and these cells create 'Testosterone' 27 00:00:56,260 --> 00:00:58,260 which in turn triggers the development 28 00:00:58,260 --> 00:01:00,020 of structure like the penis & scrotum 29 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:02,840 while other cells block female 30 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:04,840 development by female ducts 31 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:06,840 However, in female development 32 00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:09,920 because there is no 'Y' chromosome with the 'SRY' gene. 33 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:12,140 These ducts stay intact and become the uterus 34 00:01:12,280 --> 00:01:15,040 cervix, upper vagina, and the oviduct 35 00:01:15,040 --> 00:01:17,660 with the help of Estrogen, & chemicals secreted by 36 00:01:17,660 --> 00:01:19,080 the early kidney. But, 37 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:21,280 it's not always There are sometimes 38 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:23,520 even when RARE COMBINATIONS 39 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:28,300 like 'XXY', 'XXX' 'XXYY' etc. 40 00:01:28,300 --> 00:01:29,440 And even people with 41 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:32,920 'XX" Chromosomes develop male genitals & characteristics 42 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:35,580 due to a piece of the 'Y' chromosome breaking off, 43 00:01:35,580 --> 00:01:37,940 and switching places to an 'X' chromosome. 44 00:01:37,940 --> 00:01:40,120 But SEXUAL DIFFERENTIATION in a brain, 45 00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:43,760 actually happens much later than Gonadal Differentiation. 46 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:45,960 And yes, although controversial 47 00:01:45,960 --> 00:01:47,930 Male and Female brains have structural & 48 00:01:47,930 --> 00:01:50,090 functional differences between each other. 49 00:01:50,090 --> 00:01:52,090 Studies have found 50 00:01:52,110 --> 00:01:53,390 that males generally 51 00:01:53,390 --> 00:01:55,190 have a larger cerebrum cerebellum. 52 00:01:55,230 --> 00:01:56,480 and hippo campus. 53 00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:58,040 While females have 54 00:01:58,080 --> 00:01:59,930 higher density left frontal lobe, 55 00:02:00,030 --> 00:02:01,520 and larger volumes 56 00:02:01,580 --> 00:02:03,600 in the right frontal lobe. So what exactly 57 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:05,510 do see when we look at the brain? 58 00:02:05,510 --> 00:02:06,770 of a transgender person? 59 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:08,320 Several studies have shown that 60 00:02:08,320 --> 00:02:10,060 transgender brains are both 61 00:02:10,060 --> 00:02:11,980 structural and functionally more 62 00:02:11,980 --> 00:02:14,380 similar to their experienced gender identity 63 00:02:14,380 --> 00:02:15,960 than their biological sex. 64 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:18,160 One study found that transwomen who 65 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:19,960 despite being assigned male at birth 66 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:23,320 had a smaller female size structure in the hypothalamus. 67 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:24,960 MRI scans also show the 68 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:26,960 brain structures of trans people 69 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:28,960 to be more similar in thickness into their 70 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:30,960 experienced gender and not their sex. 71 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:32,790 Finally, the pheromone Androstadienone 72 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:34,190 causes different hypothalamic 73 00:02:34,190 --> 00:02:36,820 responses in male & female brains & when the individuals 74 00:02:36,940 --> 00:02:39,980 with 'Gender Dysphoria' were exposed to it, 75 00:02:40,060 --> 00:02:43,680 the hypothalamic response match their Perceived gender rather than their sex. 76 00:02:44,460 --> 00:02:46,180 These studies help to highlight masculinisations 77 00:02:46,920 --> 00:02:48,360 or feminisations of the Gonads 78 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:50,360 is not always the same as the brain 79 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:52,360 and that there's a difference between 80 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:54,120 your sex or your anatomy & gender 81 00:02:54,180 --> 00:02:56,360 or how you perceived your own body. 82 00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:57,940 There also seems to be 83 00:02:57,940 --> 00:03:00,360 a genetic component to transgender identity. 84 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:01,700 Looking at family histories, 85 00:03:01,700 --> 00:03:04,240 gender identity in congruence seems to run in the family, 86 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:06,360 meaning they maybe inherited 87 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:08,360 The 'CYP17' gene which controls 88 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:10,360 the body's level of sex hormones 89 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:12,360 has a changed allele that is expressed 90 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:14,520 frequently in trans man. 91 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:16,320 Although, more research could be done, 92 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:18,320 scientists are currently at looking at over 93 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:21,320 3 Million DNA Markers for transgender identity 94 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:23,420 to investigate any genetic link for being trans. 95 00:03:23,820 --> 00:03:25,820 Even though scientific studies 96 00:03:25,820 --> 00:03:27,920 validate the experience of transgender people 97 00:03:27,920 --> 00:03:29,820 there's still suffering from more 98 00:03:29,820 --> 00:03:32,640 depression and anxiety than the general public. 99 00:03:32,640 --> 00:03:33,820 The risk of suicide 100 00:03:33,820 --> 00:03:35,820 is more prominent in transgender people 101 00:03:35,820 --> 00:03:38,280 who have been rejected by their family 102 00:03:38,280 --> 00:03:39,820 discriminated in their workplace, 103 00:03:39,820 --> 00:03:41,380 or in health care. 104 00:03:41,380 --> 00:03:43,100 Sucide risks seems to 105 00:03:43,100 --> 00:03:45,480 decreased after gender transitioning. 106 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:47,480 Suggesting that gender dysphoria can cause 107 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:49,480 an extreme amount of emotional pain 108 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:51,480 even to the point of suicide. 109 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:53,480 If you, a family member, or a friend is 110 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:55,480 suffering from gender dysphoria , 111 00:03:55,480 --> 00:03:57,180 there are few links in the description 112 00:03:57,180 --> 00:03:58,460 for more information. 113 00:03:58,460 --> 00:03:59,360 Thank you so much Gigi 114 00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:00,600 for being part of this video, 115 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:02,640 it means so much and we're happy that you were here to do this with us. 116 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:04,640 GIGI: Ah, thank you guys for using 117 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:06,640 your channel, your platform 118 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:08,640 validating transgender experiences with science 119 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:10,780 which is brings closer to equality. 120 00:04:10,780 --> 00:04:11,940 Mitch: Absolutely 121 00:04:11,940 --> 00:04:13,620 If you guys wanna check out Gigi's Channel 122 00:04:13,620 --> 00:04:14,640 we'll put links in the description 123 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:16,000 or in the screen somewhere. 124 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,320 Otherwise, you can subscribe for more Science here 125 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:20,320 every week, and we'll see you next time. 126 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:22,320 PEACE!