In my studies of hormones one thing becomes very apparent.
Whether good or bad, these things tend to perpetuate themselves.
In fact, this extends to all areas of health, beyond hormones.
All hormones work in the body via feedback loops.
Ideally, what this means is that if something is too low, say testosterone for example, the body takes that feedback, and then will trigger the creation of more.
If it is too high then production will be stopped, or it will be converted or removed, in order to bring it down to normal.
As I said this would be ideal.
However, you’ll often get trapped in a cycle of too much or too little of certain hormones. And in those cases other interactions in the body work to keep you there.
It’s like the feedback loops get reset for a less than optimal baseline.
Let’s take the example of estrogen dominance. One thing this leads to is the creation of more adipose tissue, i.e. fat. Fat then creates the aromatase enzyme, which converts testosterone into estrogen. The vicious cycle continues…
Another example is with cortisol, the stress hormone. Get too stressed and it becomes harder to relax, throws you sleep off, prevents recovery, and disrupts pretty much all the other hormones too. This in turn leads to more stress and more cortisol. The vicious cycle continues…
Not getting enough growth hormone and you’ll feel the need for sleep decrease (notice many of the elderly sleep less and less). But what is the biggest trigger of growth hormone? Sleep! The vicious cycle continues…
When a person begins to suffer from a chronic disease, if you take the right actions, it can often times be reversed. But at a certain point they are too far gone whether its cancer, heart disease or diabetes. The cycle has continued too long and you can’t get out of it.
But there is good news!
The opposite is also true. This is called the virtuous cycle.
This means that the better things are, in general it is easier to keep them that way.
When you have optimal levels of testosterone you’re more like to be happy, have sex, workout. Guess what? All of these things support testosterone production too!
When you’re entire HPA axis is not off kilter, but is “balanced” and running well, you’re better able to take charge of your life and make it even better.
It’s much easier to take the time to meditate when you’re not stressed the f*ck out!
Eating right helps you to be more active. And being more active helps you to eat right.
With youth, everything is running well typically, and when the “shit hits the fan” you bounce right back. You’re working in a virtuous cycle that keeps the status quo of things running well.
But over time…not from the time itself necessarily, but what occurs during it (as Peter Ragnar says “Time is not toxic”…the cycle slows and eventually can become vicious. Here, when it hits the fan, you drop deeper into a hole.
A hole that can take years to “dig” yourself out of.
Just like being in debt typically becomes more and more debt.
But all is not lost. What does it take to move from vicious to virtuous?
Often times it take massive action. A jumpstart can get you there.
That’s one of the reasons I love herbs. They can act as that jumpstart. With the benefits they bring you’re better able to make lifestyle changes to support you getting into a virtuous cycle.
Like tongkat ali can jumpstart your testosterone.
If you have no energy it’s hard to make any of the necessary changes. But if you get some energy, like can happen with the adaptogen, eleuthero for instance, then you can take action.
Because here is the truth about it. It’s not just a cycle but more of a spiral. Whether it goes up or down is largely up to you.
When you’re in the virtuous cycle, one of my mentors described it as an “upward expanding spiral of greatness.”
Isn’t that where you want to be?
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okorie says
What pine pollen and nettle leaf called in Nigeria
admin says
I really don’t know, sorry.
Robert says
I subscribe to a health newsletter put out by Angela Salerno of the Institute for National Health that had an essay today, 10/13, of the importance of men having a balance of testosterone and estrogen; she said estrogen helps male sex function as well.
MR .K. says
hello i would like the best herb in the market i can use to help my testicles grow big there where under developed since teenage years i am very serious please help
admin says
Sorry, can’t tell you for sure anything that will work for that. My guess is that if it is a hormonal issue then using something like pine pollen or tongkat ali could help but I’m not sure. I guess it is worth a shot if nothing else.
jamshaid says
go for a doctor he will suggest pregnile for this purpose
kublai says
what is neetle in bangla
admin says
Sorry, I don’t know.
numeriano dolino says
nettle in bangla- ashraf
Elias A. Xoagub says
I wants to order some of this herbs. I am living in Namibia. How can I go about to order?
admin says
Elias, we ship worldwide including to Namibia. Just place your order and you’re good to go!
Robert says
I read a lot of the advice about maintaining testosterone on Wilson’s site and Christopher Logan’s comments and am appreciative of their good intentions. I do feel at some point in life, men as well as women need to start valuing other aspects of life that are not fueled by physicality so much, looking forward to the spiritual life hereafter, and we should not be made to feel that we need to be constantly jacked up to feel acceptable or that that is really good for us as it may prevent some from preparing to transition to the next life.
a rahim says
i need the best herb for ed
admin says
There’s no one best herb. Check our ED article.
Dav says
Thanks for info.can I take nettle quercetin or it have to be nettle root if so what is diffrence ?
admin says
The nettle leaf which seems to be what is in that combo, is quite different from the root.
phil mace says
I totally agree, I am a bit of a Pine Pollen convert though. More mojo at the gym so I have really noticed that physically I look more pumped. Also emotionally I feel more powered so even if life is a bit crap I feel like I can just ride it. Down side is, I would like to share these good things with mates who are still stuck but they think I am having some fade, that it is all placebo. Their loss ..
Rocky says
Does Pine Pollen collection come from any source other than China? I would try it from New Zealand or even the US (Tennessee is loaded with pollen) but I doubt China has very pure anything.
admin says
It can certainly be found in many regions but it is only commercially available in China. You can look at the full mineral breakdown on the pine pollen page to see exactly what is in it.
Liz says
Hi. My question is how do these herbs help females who were advised to have a full hysterectomy which includes removal of the ovaries? I am one such person and now taking hormone replacement therapy.
admin says
You’re probably going to want something that supports estrogen primarily. We have a big article on women’s hormones coming soon.
Dav says
Does tongatali make hair fall ?because since I had that I have hair fall can u suggest me pls how to stop hair fall I like tongatali .
admin says
Sounds like your DHT could be too high, which could cause that. Try taking something like nettle root or saw palmetto along with the tongkat and see if that helps.