The Science of Being Transgender ft. Gigi Gorgeous

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

but recently, scientists
have begun to look more closely

into the neurology,
physiology, and psychology behind it.

So today, we're going to break down
what science does know

in a respectful and educational way.

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

to break down
the science of being transgender.

Before we get too deep into it,

we have to look at your genetic sex
or the chromosomes you have.

These were determined
right at fertilization,

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

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

But until six or seven weeks
after fertilization,

both XY and XX embyos
have identical gonads.

Around seven weeks,
the male sex organs start to develop

because of a gene
on the Y chromosome called SRY.

It causes cells to become more specialized

and these cells create testosterone,

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

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

However, in female development,

because there is no Y chromosome
with the SRY gene,

these ducts stay intact
and become the uterus, cervix,

upper vagina and the oviduct,

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

But it's not always that simple.**

There are sometimes
even rare combinations like XXY,

XXX, XXYY, etcetera,

and even people with XX chromosomes

that develop
male genitals and characteristics,

due to a piece of the Y chromosome
breaking off

and switching places to an X chromosome.

But sexual differentiation in the brain

actually happens much later
than gonadal differentiation.

And yes, although controversial,
male and female brains

have structural and functional differences
between each other.

Studies have found that males
generally have a larger cerebrum,

cerebellum, and hippocampus,

while females
have higher-density left frontal lobes

and larger volumes
in the right frontal lobes.

So what exactly do we see

when we look at the brain
of a transgender person?

Several studies
have shown that transgender brains

are both structurally
and functionally more similar

to their experienced gender identity
than their biological sex.

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

had a smaller, female-sized structure
in the hypothalamus.

MRI scans also show
the brain structures of trans people

to be more similar in thickness

to their experienced gender
and not their sex.

Finally, the pheromone androstadienone

causes different hypothalamic responses
in male and female brains.

And when individuals with gender dysphoria
were exposed to it,

the hypothalamic response

matched their perceived gender
rather than their sex.

These studies help to highlight

how masculinization
or feminization of the gonads

is not always the same as the brain

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

and your gender
or how we perceive our own bodies.

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

Looking at family histories,

gender identity incongruence
seems to run in the family,

meaning they may be inherited.

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

has a changed allele
that is expressed frequently in trans men.

Although more research could be done,
scientists are currently looking

at over three million DNA markers
for transgender identity

to investigate
any genetic link for being trans.

Even though scientific studies validate
the experience of transgender people,

they're still suffering
from more depression and anxiety

than the general public.

The risk of suicide
is more prominent in transgender people

who have been rejected by their family,

discriminated in the workplace
or in health care.

Suicide risks seem to decrease
after gender transitioning,

suggesting that gender dysphoria

can cause an extreme amount
of emotional pain,

even to the point of suicide.

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

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

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

It means so much. We're happy
that you're here to do this.

Thank you guys,
for using your channel, your platform,

validating transgender experiences
with science,

- which just brings us closer to equality.
- Absolutely.

If you want to check out Gigi's channel,
we'll put up links.

Otherwise, you can subscribe
for more science here,

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