This hormonal cascade works as follows: The hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) GnRH signals the anterior pituitary to release luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) LH stimulates the Leydig cells to produce testosterone Rising testosterone feeds back to the hypothalamus and pituitary to regulate production (negative feedback loop) Testosterone is responsible for: Muscle protein synthesis and lean body mass maintenance Bone mineral density Red blood cell production Libido and sexual function Energy, mood, and cognitive function Fat distribution and metabolic health Normal total testosterone in adult men ranges from approximately 300 to 1,000 ng/dL, with levels declining by roughly 1 to 2 percent per year after age 30 (Harman et al., 2001)
The 4-month rest period is where the cellular adaptations from each cycle are meant to consolidate
The mechanism of action, particularly BDNF upregulation, neuroplasticity enhancement, and microglial optimization, is theoretically supportive of cognitive enhancement in healthy brains
Guo J, Liu N, Xie Q, Zhu L, Ge F
