Our Hormones Make Us Who We Are
The article discusses the significant role hormones play in our lives and how they influence various bodily functions. It highlights the misconception of personal autonomy in relation to hormonal control and the impact of hormonal imbalances on health. The author, an endocrinologist, shares insights from their practice, illustrating the complexities of hormonal disorders and their effects on patients' lives.
- ▪Hormones govern many aspects of life, including mood, weight, and energy levels.
- ▪Endocrinology is the medical specialty focused on hormonal diseases.
- ▪Patients often report feeling that something is wrong with their hormones, leading them to seek medical help.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
I used to think I was in control of my life. But I don’t believe that any more. Learning about hormones changed everything.Article continues after advertisement The illusion of our autonomy, though, can be persuasive, because when all is functioning well, we barely notice our hormones, the chemical signals that carry messages within the body. By animating every aspect and every moment of life, it is our hormones’ control over us that defines our very idea of what a normal life feels like. We expect to wake up refreshed, to maintain a stable weight, to be in a reasonable mood, while perhaps overlooking that these processes are governed by the body’s hormones far more than by our behaviour, agency or willpower.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Literary Hub.
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