Countless women have puzzled over why the men in their lives do and say certain things, and why at times men seem like beings from another planet. If you're curious about what makes a man tick, science may provide some enlightening answers. Understanding how hormones and even food affect the guys in your life can shed light on many of the mysteries of the male brain.
Hormones
Men are wired differently than women, and this is largely because of hormones, according to Louann Brizendine, a neuropsychiatrist at the University of California at San Francisco and the author of the book, "The Male Brain." Men's bodies secrete the hormones testosterone, vasopressin and Mullerian inhibiting substance, which play a major part in brain development. These hormones produce typical male characteristics, such as aggressiveness and bravado, and they not only shape the male brain in the womb, but they continue to affect men throughout their lives. Testosterone in particular increases twenty-fold from ages 9 to 15, causing young boys to go through dramatic physical and emotional changes.
Culture and Gender Stereotypes
Gender stereotypes present in society also can affect a man's emotions and overall personality. Ronald F. Levant, a University of Akron psychology professor who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and public practice, states that gender stereotypes often influence how parents raise their children, causing men to attempt to adhere to their culture's "masculinity ideology." For example, parents and peer groups may discourage boys from expressing vulnerabilities or other feminine qualities. Then, as adults, these boys may have difficulty expressing their emotions. Men who find these gender roles problematic can experience depression, anxiety and other emotional and physical problems.
Food
What a man eats can affect his mood by raising and lowering certain chemicals in his brain, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, also called neurotransmitters, which send signals to different neurons in the body. Foods high in carbohydrates temporarily increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, producing a calming and anxiety-reducing effect, while proteins, such as dairy and meat, increase dopamine and norepinephrine, leading to increased alertness.
Exercise
Physical exercise can greatly affect a person's brain functions, and even can help alleviate mild depression. Walking, running and other forms of physical activity increase blood flow and circulation in the brain, and allow more oxygen and glucose to reach the brain. Regular exercise also improves memory, cognition, concentration and other brain functions.
Sex
According to neuropsychiatrist Louann Brizendine's "The Male Brain," the part of the brain devoted to sex drive is two and one-half times larger in men than it is in women. In this case, the popular stereotype of men being obsessed with sex has a measure of truth to it. Men's brains think about sex more often, and their biological drive to procreate often affects their thoughts and behaviors.
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