WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.960 There's a lot of misinformation out there about what it means to be a transgender 00:00:04.380 --> 00:00:05.500 but recently, 00:00:05.500 --> 00:00:07.440 Scientists have begun to look into 00:00:07.440 --> 00:00:09.560 the Neurology, Physiology, and Psychology 00:00:09.560 --> 00:00:11.120 behind it. So today we're gonna 00:00:11.320 --> 00:00:13.440 break down what Science does know 00:00:13.660 --> 00:00:15.660 in a respectful and educational way 00:00:15.660 --> 00:00:17.660 Hey guys! I'm Gigi Gorgeous and, 00:00:17.940 --> 00:00:19.940 today, I'm here with ASAPScience 00:00:19.940 --> 00:00:21.940 to break down Science of Being Transgender 00:00:22.120 --> 00:00:24.120 Before we get to deep into it, 00:00:24.120 --> 00:00:26.120 we have to look at your genetic sex. 00:00:26.120 --> 00:00:28.120 Or the chromosomes you have. These were 00:00:28.120 --> 00:00:30.120 determined right after fertilization 00:00:30.120 --> 00:00:32.119 When the sperm cell from your father 00:00:32.119 --> 00:00:34.080 which carries an 'X' or a 'Y' chromosome 00:00:34.240 --> 00:00:38.000 fuse with the egg from your mother, which carries an 'X' chromosome. 00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:41.310 But until 6 or 7 weeks after fertilization, 00:00:41.620 --> 00:00:43.700 both 'XY' and 'XX' embryos 00:00:43.700 --> 00:00:45.100 have identical gonads. 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:46.900 Around 7 weeks 00:00:46.900 --> 00:00:48.900 the male sex organs start to develop 00:00:48.900 --> 00:00:50.900 because of a gene on 'Y' chromosome 00:00:50.900 --> 00:00:52.240 called 'SRY' 00:00:52.260 --> 00:00:54.260 It causes cells to become more specialized 00:00:54.260 --> 00:00:56.260 and these cells create 'Testosterone' 00:00:56.260 --> 00:00:58.260 which in turn triggers the development 00:00:58.260 --> 00:01:00.020 of structure like the penis & scrotum 00:01:01.120 --> 00:01:02.840 while other cells block female 00:01:02.840 --> 00:01:04.840 development by female ducts 00:01:04.840 --> 00:01:06.840 However, in female development 00:01:06.840 --> 00:01:09.920 because there is no 'Y' chromosome with the 'SRY' gene. 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:12.140 These ducts stay intact and become the uterus 00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:15.040 cervix, upper vagina, and the oviduct 00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:17.660 with the help of Estrogen, & chemicals secreted by 00:01:17.660 --> 00:01:19.080 the early kidney. But, 00:01:19.080 --> 00:01:21.280 it's not always There are sometimes 00:01:21.520 --> 00:01:23.520 even when RARE COMBINATIONS 00:01:23.520 --> 00:01:28.300 like 'XXY', 'XXX' 'XXYY' etc. 00:01:28.300 --> 00:01:29.440 And even people with 00:01:29.440 --> 00:01:32.920 'XX" Chromosomes develop male genitals & characteristics 00:01:32.920 --> 00:01:35.580 due to a piece of the 'Y' chromosome breaking off, 00:01:35.580 --> 00:01:37.940 and switching places to an 'X' chromosome. 00:01:37.940 --> 00:01:40.120 But SEXUAL DIFFERENTIATION in a brain, 00:01:40.120 --> 00:01:43.760 actually happens much later than Gonadal Differentiation. 00:01:43.760 --> 00:01:45.960 And yes, although controversial 00:01:45.960 --> 00:01:47.930 Male and Female brains have structural & 00:01:47.930 --> 00:01:50.090 functional differences between each other. 00:01:50.090 --> 00:01:52.090 Studies have found 00:01:52.110 --> 00:01:53.390 that males generally 00:01:53.390 --> 00:01:55.190 have a larger cerebrum cerebellum. 00:01:55.230 --> 00:01:56.480 and hippo campus. 00:01:56.480 --> 00:01:58.040 While females have 00:01:58.080 --> 00:01:59.930 higher density left frontal lobe, 00:02:00.030 --> 00:02:01.520 and larger volumes 00:02:01.580 --> 00:02:03.600 in the right frontal lobe. So what exactly 00:02:03.600 --> 00:02:05.510 do see when we look at the brain? 00:02:05.510 --> 00:02:06.770 of a transgender person? 00:02:06.800 --> 00:02:08.320 Several studies have shown that 00:02:08.320 --> 00:02:10.060 transgender brains are both 00:02:10.060 --> 00:02:11.980 structural and functionally more 00:02:11.980 --> 00:02:14.380 similar to their experienced gender identity 00:02:14.380 --> 00:02:15.960 than their biological sex. 00:02:15.960 --> 00:02:18.160 One study found that transwomen who 00:02:18.160 --> 00:02:19.960 despite being assigned male at birth 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:23.320 had a smaller female size structure in the hypothalamus. 00:02:23.320 --> 00:02:24.960 MRI scans also show the 00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:26.960 brain structures of trans people 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:28.960 to be more similar in thickness into their 00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:30.960 experienced gender and not their sex. 00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:32.790 Finally, the pheromone Androstadienone 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:34.190 causes different hypothalamic 00:02:34.190 --> 00:02:36.820 responses in male & female brains & when the individuals 00:02:36.940 --> 00:02:39.980 with 'Gender Dysphoria' were exposed to it, 00:02:40.060 --> 00:02:43.680 the hypothalamic response match their Perceived gender rather than their sex. 00:02:44.460 --> 00:02:46.180 These studies help to highlight masculinisations 00:02:46.920 --> 00:02:48.360 or feminisations of the Gonads 00:02:48.360 --> 00:02:50.360 is not always the same as the brain 00:02:50.360 --> 00:02:52.360 and that there's a difference between 00:02:52.360 --> 00:02:54.120 your sex or your anatomy & gender 00:02:54.180 --> 00:02:56.360 or how you perceived your own body. 00:02:56.360 --> 00:02:57.940 There also seems to be 00:02:57.940 --> 00:03:00.360 a genetic component to transgender identity. 00:03:00.360 --> 00:03:01.700 Looking at family histories, 00:03:01.700 --> 00:03:04.240 gender identity in congruence seems to run in the family, 00:03:04.240 --> 00:03:06.360 meaning they maybe inherited 00:03:06.360 --> 00:03:08.360 The 'CYP17' gene which controls 00:03:08.360 --> 00:03:10.360 the body's level of sex hormones 00:03:10.360 --> 00:03:12.360 has a changed allele that is expressed 00:03:12.360 --> 00:03:14.520 frequently in trans man. 00:03:14.720 --> 00:03:16.320 Although, more research could be done, 00:03:16.320 --> 00:03:18.320 scientists are currently at looking at over 00:03:18.320 --> 00:03:21.320 3 Million DNA Markers for transgender identity 00:03:21.320 --> 00:03:23.420 to investigate any genetic link for being trans. 00:03:23.820 --> 00:03:25.820 Even though scientific studies 00:03:25.820 --> 00:03:27.920 validate the experience of transgender people 00:03:27.920 --> 00:03:29.820 there's still suffering from more 00:03:29.820 --> 00:03:32.640 depression and anxiety than the general public. 00:03:32.640 --> 00:03:33.820 The risk of suicide 00:03:33.820 --> 00:03:35.820 is more prominent in transgender people 00:03:35.820 --> 00:03:38.280 who have been rejected by their family 00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:39.820 discriminated in their workplace, 00:03:39.820 --> 00:03:41.380 or in health care. 00:03:41.380 --> 00:03:43.100 Sucide risks seems to 00:03:43.100 --> 00:03:45.480 decreased after gender transitioning. 00:03:45.480 --> 00:03:47.480 Suggesting that gender dysphoria can cause 00:03:47.480 --> 00:03:49.480 an extreme amount of emotional pain 00:03:49.480 --> 00:03:51.480 even to the point of suicide. 00:03:51.480 --> 00:03:53.480 If you, a family member, or a friend is 00:03:53.480 --> 00:03:55.480 suffering from gender dysphoria , 00:03:55.480 --> 00:03:57.180 there are few links in the description 00:03:57.180 --> 00:03:58.460 for more information. 00:03:58.460 --> 00:03:59.360 Thank you so much Gigi 00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:00.600 for being part of this video, 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. 00:04:02.640 --> 00:04:04.640 GIGI: Ah, thank you guys for using 00:04:04.640 --> 00:04:06.640 your channel, your platform 00:04:06.640 --> 00:04:08.640 validating transgender experiences with science 00:04:08.640 --> 00:04:10.780 which is brings closer to equality. 00:04:10.780 --> 00:04:11.940 Mitch: Absolutely 00:04:11.940 --> 00:04:13.620 If you guys wanna check out Gigi's Channel 00:04:13.620 --> 00:04:14.640 we'll put links in the description 00:04:14.640 --> 00:04:16.000 or in the screen somewhere. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:18.320 Otherwise, you can subscribe for more Science here 00:04:18.320 --> 00:04:20.320 every week, and we'll see you next time. 00:04:20.320 --> 00:04:22.320 PEACE!