How do hormones affect us? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly explore the body's endocrine system, steroids, hormones, and how we can hack it with Associate Professor of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Dr. Aniket Sidhaye What does the endocrine system do? Learn about the body’s chemical messenger system and how it maintains homeostasis. Discover the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, and the pancreas. How do hormones play into epigenetics? We talk about points of failure within the system and what can go wrong. What is a steroid? We discuss conditions caused by imbalances in the endocrine system like hypercortisolism and diabetes. Learn more about testosterone and what it does to the body. Can you really hack the endocrine system to gain an advantage? We get into testosterone ranges and how it changes as people age. What role do hormones play in gender? Learn about natural testosterone ranges across genders and the case of Caster Semenya. What genetic advantages are considered fair and which ones are considered unfair? How do athletes with diabetes maintain homeostasis and play their sport? Finally, find out about recent technological solutions that allow people with diabetes to live more normally. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver. https://inuit.com/ Get the NEW Cosmic Queries book (5/5 ⭐s on Amazon!): https://amzn.to/3dYIEQF Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #neildegrassetyson 0:00 - Introduction 4:23 - What The Endocrine System Does 5:42 - Insulin 8:04 - Pituitary Gland 9:03 - Hypothalamus 9:35 - How Hormones Act 10:35 - Epigenome 14:01 - Autocrine Signaling 17:03 - Diabetes 18:06 - Thyroid System 19:11 - Cortisol 21:11 - Fat Tissue 22:32 - Steroids 32:16 - Trans Athletes 39:35 - Hormone Therapy 42:39 - Technological Solutions For Diabetes 45:29 - Determinations of Abnormality 47:58 - Closing Notes