Transgenderism is a biological reality

[Hurricanelover]

here are 12 studies regarding the "transgender brain"​

>A female-sized BSTc was found in male-to-female transsexuals. The size of the BSTc was not influenced by sex hormones in adulthood and was independent of sexual orientation. Our study is the first to show a female brain structure in genetically male transsexuals and supports the hypothesis that gender identity develops as a result of an interaction between the developing brain and sex hormones
A sex difference in the human brain and its relation to transsexuality - Nature
>We showed for the first time that INAH3 volume and number of neurons of male-to-female transsexual people is similar to that of control females. The female-to-male transsexual subject had an INAH3 volume and number of neurons within the male control range, even though the treatment with testosterone had been stopped three years before death.
A sex difference in the hypothalamic uncinate nucleus: relationship to gender identity - PubMed
>The absence of serotonin transporter asymmetry in the midcingulate in MtF transsexuals may be attributed to an absence of brain masculinization in this region.
Cerebral serotonin transporter asymmetry in females, males and male-to-female transsexuals measured by PET in vivo - PubMed
>FtMs showed evidence of subcortical gray matter masculinization, while MtFs showed evidence of CTh feminization. In both types of transsexuals, the differences with respect to their biological sex are located in the right hemisphere.
Cortical thickness in untreated transsexuals - PubMed
>We found that the sex difference in responsiveness to androstadienone was already present in pre-pubertal control children and thus likely developed during early perinatal development instead of during sexual maturation. Adolescent girls and boys with GD both responded remarkably like their experienced gender, thus sex-atypical.
Hypothalamic Response to the Chemo-Signal Androstadienone in Gender Dysphoric Children and Adolescents
> Results revealed thicker cortices in MTF transsexuals, both within regions of the left hemisphere (i.e., frontal and orbito-frontal cortex, central sulcus, perisylvian regions, paracentral gyrus) and right hemisphere (i.e., pre-/post-central gyrus, parietal cortex, temporal cortex, precuneus, fusiform, lingual, and orbito-frontal gyrus).
>These findings provide further evidence that brain anatomy is associated with gender identity, where measures in MTF transsexuals appear to be shifted away from gender-congruent men.
Increased Cortical Thickness in Male-to-Female Transsexualism - PubMed

> The number of neurons in the BSTc of male-to-female transsexuals was similar to that of the females (P = 0.83). In contrast, the neuron number of a female-to-male transsexual was found to be in the male range. Hormone treatment or sex hormone level variations in adulthood did not seem to have influenced BSTc neuron numbers.
>The present findings of somatostatin neuronal sex differences in the BSTc and its sex reversal in the transsexual brain clearly support the paradigm that in transsexuals sexual differentiation of the brain and genitals may go into opposite directions and point to a neurobiological basis of gender identity disorder.
Male-to-female transsexuals have female neuron numbers in a limbic nucleus - PubMed
>These data suggest a pattern of activation away from the biological sex, occupying an intermediate position with predominantly female-like features. Because our MFTRs were nonhomosexual, the results are unlikely to be an effect of sexual practice. Instead, the data implicate that transsexuality may be associated with sex-atypical physiological responses in specific hypothalamic circuits, possibly as a consequence of a variant neuronal differentiation.
Male-to-female transsexuals show sex-atypical hypothalamus activation when smelling odorous steroids - PubMed
>MTF transsexuals show a significantly larger volume of regional gray matter in the right putamen compared to men. These findings provide new evidence that transsexualism is associated with distinct cerebral pattern, which supports the assumption that brain anatomy plays a role in gender identity.
Regional gray matter variation in male-to-female transsexualism - PubMed
>When comparing MTF transsexuals with male volunteers, activation patterns similar to female volunteers being compared with male volunteers were revealed
>We revealed a cerebral activation pattern in MTF transsexuals compared with male controls similar to female controls compared with male controls during viewing of erotic stimuli, indicating a tendency of female-like cerebral processing in transsexualism.
Specific cerebral activation due to visual erotic stimuli in male-to-female transsexuals compared with male and female controls: an fMRI study - PubMed
>Our results show that the white matter microstructure pattern in untreated MtF transsexuals falls halfway between the pattern of male and female controls. The nature of these differences suggests that some fasciculi do not complete the masculinization process in MtF transsexuals during brain development.
The microstructure of white matter in male to female transsexuals before cross-sex hormonal treatment. A DTI study - PubMed
>All the genetic, postmortem, and in vivo scanning observations support the neurobiological theory about the origin of gender dysphoria, i.e., it is the sizes of brain structures, the neuron numbers, the molecular composition, functions, and connectivity of brain structures that determine our gender identity or sexual orientation. There is no evidence that one's postnatal social environment plays a crucial role in the development of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Sexual differentiation of the human hypothalamus: Relationship to gender identity and sexual orientation - PubMed


Punishing these people is just evil and wrong. They can't help it. Please read the evidence and try to educate yourself.

 

[deannalw]

Nope

 

[Bob Blaylock]

 

[Oddball]

 

[Calypso Jones]

They are not being punished by any of us or those on the right. They are being used, abused, manipulated and mutilated by their friends on the left. I know this is not a normal mind condition because there are too many of these kids and young adults and even some older whom it is too late for....who have regrets, anger and wish to detransition. They find that transitioning against their natural body does not make them happy. It only makes matters worse for them.

Now it is true that the further we get from the perfection of creation, genes deteriorate which accounts for disease, disability and in this case, mental issues. But it is not normal, it should not be tolerated and there certainly should not be medical experimentation on this hapless group of people. These people in the throws of their mental instability consider anyone who is not raving them on to be a danger to their safety. The only danger to their safety comes from those folk who encourage them in this insanity and those that do the actual cosmetic work on them...and i say cosmetic because when it is done, it only looks like some form of genitals that are misshapen and none of it is functional.

 

[Hossfly]

A niece had a baby yesterday but they haven't figured out what gender it is. Even the doctor is stumped.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

True transgenderism is real and exceedingly rare measuring 1 in several thousand. What we have is social contagion not unlike the random fainting, laughing or dancing of the past. The contagion is being used by unscrupulous providers who are using children as cash cows. They pick on the vulnerable, children already troubled and convince them that a sex change will solve all their problems. A sex change that will make them permanent patients. Permanent cash cows no matter what it does to the poor children. Talk to some detransitioners.

 

[DudleySmith]

here are 12 studies regarding the "transgender brain"​

>A female-sized BSTc was found in male-to-female transsexuals. The size of the BSTc was not influenced by sex hormones in adulthood and was independent of sexual orientation. Our study is the first to show a female brain structure in genetically male transsexuals and supports the hypothesis that gender identity develops as a result of an interaction between the developing brain and sex hormones
A sex difference in the human brain and its relation to transsexuality - Nature
>We showed for the first time that INAH3 volume and number of neurons of male-to-female transsexual people is similar to that of control females. The female-to-male transsexual subject had an INAH3 volume and number of neurons within the male control range, even though the treatment with testosterone had been stopped three years before death.
A sex difference in the hypothalamic uncinate nucleus: relationship to gender identity - PubMed
>The absence of serotonin transporter asymmetry in the midcingulate in MtF transsexuals may be attributed to an absence of brain masculinization in this region.
Cerebral serotonin transporter asymmetry in females, males and male-to-female transsexuals measured by PET in vivo - PubMed
>FtMs showed evidence of subcortical gray matter masculinization, while MtFs showed evidence of CTh feminization. In both types of transsexuals, the differences with respect to their biological sex are located in the right hemisphere.
Cortical thickness in untreated transsexuals - PubMed
>We found that the sex difference in responsiveness to androstadienone was already present in pre-pubertal control children and thus likely developed during early perinatal development instead of during sexual maturation. Adolescent girls and boys with GD both responded remarkably like their experienced gender, thus sex-atypical.
Hypothalamic Response to the Chemo-Signal Androstadienone in Gender Dysphoric Children and Adolescents
> Results revealed thicker cortices in MTF transsexuals, both within regions of the left hemisphere (i.e., frontal and orbito-frontal cortex, central sulcus, perisylvian regions, paracentral gyrus) and right hemisphere (i.e., pre-/post-central gyrus, parietal cortex, temporal cortex, precuneus, fusiform, lingual, and orbito-frontal gyrus).
>These findings provide further evidence that brain anatomy is associated with gender identity, where measures in MTF transsexuals appear to be shifted away from gender-congruent men.
Increased Cortical Thickness in Male-to-Female Transsexualism - PubMed

> The number of neurons in the BSTc of male-to-female transsexuals was similar to that of the females (P = 0.83). In contrast, the neuron number of a female-to-male transsexual was found to be in the male range. Hormone treatment or sex hormone level variations in adulthood did not seem to have influenced BSTc neuron numbers.
>The present findings of somatostatin neuronal sex differences in the BSTc and its sex reversal in the transsexual brain clearly support the paradigm that in transsexuals sexual differentiation of the brain and genitals may go into opposite directions and point to a neurobiological basis of gender identity disorder.
Male-to-female transsexuals have female neuron numbers in a limbic nucleus - PubMed
>These data suggest a pattern of activation away from the biological sex, occupying an intermediate position with predominantly female-like features. Because our MFTRs were nonhomosexual, the results are unlikely to be an effect of sexual practice. Instead, the data implicate that transsexuality may be associated with sex-atypical physiological responses in specific hypothalamic circuits, possibly as a consequence of a variant neuronal differentiation.
Male-to-female transsexuals show sex-atypical hypothalamus activation when smelling odorous steroids - PubMed
>MTF transsexuals show a significantly larger volume of regional gray matter in the right putamen compared to men. These findings provide new evidence that transsexualism is associated with distinct cerebral pattern, which supports the assumption that brain anatomy plays a role in gender identity.
Regional gray matter variation in male-to-female transsexualism - PubMed
>When comparing MTF transsexuals with male volunteers, activation patterns similar to female volunteers being compared with male volunteers were revealed
>We revealed a cerebral activation pattern in MTF transsexuals compared with male controls similar to female controls compared with male controls during viewing of erotic stimuli, indicating a tendency of female-like cerebral processing in transsexualism.
Specific cerebral activation due to visual erotic stimuli in male-to-female transsexuals compared with male and female controls: an fMRI study - PubMed
>Our results show that the white matter microstructure pattern in untreated MtF transsexuals falls halfway between the pattern of male and female controls. The nature of these differences suggests that some fasciculi do not complete the masculinization process in MtF transsexuals during brain development.
The microstructure of white matter in male to female transsexuals before cross-sex hormonal treatment. A DTI study - PubMed
>All the genetic, postmortem, and in vivo scanning observations support the neurobiological theory about the origin of gender dysphoria, i.e., it is the sizes of brain structures, the neuron numbers, the molecular composition, functions, and connectivity of brain structures that determine our gender identity or sexual orientation. There is no evidence that one's postnatal social environment plays a crucial role in the development of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Sexual differentiation of the human hypothalamus: Relationship to gender identity and sexual orientation - PubMed


Punishing these people is just evil and wrong. They can't help it. Please read the evidence and try to educate yourself.

lol not a single study actually linked to, just 'Abstracts'; no way to check their methodologies or who the peer reviewers are, no data.

Typical. Thread title is a lie. Perfectly acceptable of course, as long as it lies about the correct topics.

 

[DudleySmith]

They are not being punished by any of us or those on the right

True. The Left only sees them as propaganda fodder in their Gramscian culture war tactics and has no intentions of actually helping them or anybody else. Faggots know if they can sell this rubbish they can sell lowering the ages of consent later on.

 

[Calypso Jones]

Trans teacher with Z-size prosthetic breasts dresses as man outside of school, neighbor says

Kayla Lemieux — a Canadian teacher who made international headlines for wearing gigantic prosthetic breasts — rarely wears them outside of school, neighbors have told The Post.

nypost.com

 

[fncceo]

You're describing Transgenderism as a pathology and not as a lifestyle decision.

You're claiming Transgenderism is not a "brave life choice" but a medical aberration.

Your masters will not be happy with you ...

 

[Dogmaphobe]

Stay away from other people's kids.

That's all you need to do.

 

[scruffy]

You're describing Transgenderism as a pathology and not as a lifestyle decision.

You're claiming Transgenderism is not a "brave life choice" but a medical aberration.

Your masters will not be happy with you ...

View attachment 757928

The problem is, no one knows what any of that stuff means.

Sure there are brain differences, we knew that already.

The evidence seems to indicate that true transgenderism does exist but is very rare.

The rest is more like a Hollywood fad. Or a place for the mentally ill to hide.

 

[Hurricanelover]

Here are some key research papers that provide evidence for the biological basis of transgender identities:
• Zhou, J. N., Hofman, M. A., Gooren, L. J., & Swaab, D. F. (1995). A sex difference in the human brain and its relation to transsexuality. Nature, 378(6552), 68-70. This study found that a region of the brain known as INAH3 was more similar in size to that of non-transgender people of the same gender identity rather than sex assigned at birth. This provides evidence for a biological basis of gender identity.
• Rametti, G., Carrillo, B., Gómez-Gil, E., Junque, C., Zubiarre-Elorza, L., Segovia, S., Guillamon, A. (2010). The microstructure of white matter in male to female transsexuals before hormone treatment. A DTI study. Journal of psychiatric research, 44(15), 1104-1109. This study found differences in white matter microstructure between transgender women and men, providing further evidence for biological sex differences in the brain related to gender identity.
• Bentz, E. K., Hefler, L. A., Kaufmann, U., Huber, J. C., Kolb, A., Paul, T., ... & Wischmeyer, E. (2008). A polymorphism of the CYP17 gene related to sex steroid metabolism is associated with female to male but not male to female transsexualism. Fertility and sterility, 90(1), 56-59. This study found an association between a gene related to sex steroid metabolism and female-to-male but not male-to-female transgender individuals, suggesting a biological link.
• Hare, L., Pemberton, M., Rogers, T., Smedley, R. D., & Taylor, D. (2018). Ontogenic and genetic mechanisms underlying trans-differentialism in humans. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 90, 99-110. This review article discusses a range of biological factors that may contribute to gender identity differences, including genetics, hormones, brain structure, and development.
Does this help summarize some of the key research papers providing evidence for the biological basis of transgender identities? Let me know if you would like any clarification or have additional questions.

===
What science do you have to disprove this? What science do you have to prove your hatred for people that are transgendered is justified. You're without evidence.

 

[Hurricanelover]

Here are some additional details and perspectives on the biological evidence for transgenderism:

• Brain studies: Finding differences in brain regions related to gender identity provides compelling evidence for a biological basis. The INAH3 region is important for sexual arousal and pleasure. trans women also show female-typical changes in response to estrogen therapy, suggesting biological sex differences in brain development.

• Genetics: A few genes have been linked to increased likelihood of gender transition, though no single "trans gene" has been found. Genes related to sex steroid receptors, gender development, and neurobiology may play a role. Genetics likely interacts with hormones and life experiences.

• Hormones: Transgender youth often show a mismatch between biological sex and levels of sex hormones. Trans women may have lower prenatal and postnatal testosterone, insulin-like growth factor 1, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone. Trans men may have higher levels.

• Development: Biological sex differences emerge early in development, but gender identity develops later. Differences in how human embryos develop in the womb based on sex could help explain gender identity diversity. Some evidence also implicates prenatal sex hormone exposure.

 

[Oddball]

Here are some key research papers that provide evidence for the biological basis of transgender identities:
• Zhou, J. N., Hofman, M. A., Gooren, L. J., & Swaab, D. F. (1995). A sex difference in the human brain and its relation to transsexuality. Nature, 378(6552), 68-70. This study found that a region of the brain known as INAH3 was more similar in size to that of non-transgender people of the same gender identity rather than sex assigned at birth. This provides evidence for a biological basis of gender identity.
• Rametti, G., Carrillo, B., Gómez-Gil, E., Junque, C., Zubiarre-Elorza, L., Segovia, S., Guillamon, A. (2010). The microstructure of white matter in male to female transsexuals before hormone treatment. A DTI study. Journal of psychiatric research, 44(15), 1104-1109. This study found differences in white matter microstructure between transgender women and men, providing further evidence for biological sex differences in the brain related to gender identity.
• Bentz, E. K., Hefler, L. A., Kaufmann, U., Huber, J. C., Kolb, A., Paul, T., ... & Wischmeyer, E. (2008). A polymorphism of the CYP17 gene related to sex steroid metabolism is associated with female to male but not male to female transsexualism. Fertility and sterility, 90(1), 56-59. This study found an association between a gene related to sex steroid metabolism and female-to-male but not male-to-female transgender individuals, suggesting a biological link.
• Hare, L., Pemberton, M., Rogers, T., Smedley, R. D., & Taylor, D. (2018). Ontogenic and genetic mechanisms underlying trans-differentialism in humans. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 90, 99-110. This review article discusses a range of biological factors that may contribute to gender identity differences, including genetics, hormones, brain structure, and development.
Does this help summarize some of the key research papers providing evidence for the biological basis of transgender identities? Let me know if you would like any clarification or have additional questions.

===
What science do you have to disprove this? What science do you have to prove your hatred for people that are transgendered is justified. You're without evidence.

Mengele and Kevorkian were doctors too.

 

[Hurricanelover]

Here are the key findings on brain structure differences in transgender people based on research:
• The INAH3 nucleus is larger in trans women compared to cis men, and similar in size to that of cis women. This nucleus is involved in sexual arousal and pleasure. This suggests trans women have a female-typical INAH3 volume, providing biological evidence for their gender identity.
• The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is important for gender and sexual arousal. The BNST volume in trans women is midway between the volumes of cis men and women, while trans men show a male-typical BNST volume. The BNST may be sensitive to sex hormones and important for gender identity.
• Cortical thickness differs between trans and cis people in regions involved in body perception, such as the insula and somatosensory cortex. Trans people often report a disconnect between their physical bodies and gendered sense of self. Cortical thickness in these areas may reflect this experience.
• Trans youth show differences in gray matter volume and cortical thickness in areas linked to social cognition, self-awareness, and autobiographical memory. These brain regions are important for developing concepts of self, identity, and personality.
• Trans men given testosterone therapy show changes in gray matter volume that resemble those of cis men given testosterone. There is evidence of "brain masculinization" in response to hormones. Trans women given estrogen therapy also show some female-typical changes.
• Differences have been found in white matter microstructure between trans and cis people, especially in white matter tracts involved in emotion, reward processing, and empathy. White matter structure may reflect prenatal and postnatal hormone influences on brain development.
• Studies on specific genetic variants point to genetic influences on brain regions involved in gender, sexuality, arousal, mood, and cognition—all of which relate to gender identity. Genetices likely interacts with development and hormones in shaping trans brains.
In summary, research suggests transgender people show patterns of brain structure more similar to their felt gender than biology sex. Certain nuclei, cortical thickness, gray matter volume, white matter microstructure, functional activation, and responsiveness to hormones align with gender identity rather than birth sex. While more research is needed, differences in trans people's brain morphology and development may have a biological basis and reflect neurocognitive experiences of gender identity.
Does this help summarize the key findings and perspectives on brain structure differences in transgender people? Let me know if you would like me to explore any part of this summary in more detail.

===
Yes, there is significant evidence linking differences in brain structure and gender identity for transgender individuals. Some key findings include:

• A study using MRI found that trans women had a female-typical volume of the INAH3 nucleus, involved in sexual arousal, whereas trans men had volumes more similar to cis men. Cisgender men had the largest INAH3 volumes compared to all other groups.

• A study found that trans individuals showed distinct differences in cortical thickness of brain regions involved in body perception (insula) and autobiographical memory (hippocampus) compared to cis individuals. Trans women patterned with cis women in insula while trans men showed male-typical patterns.

• A large study found distinctive subcortical volume differences between trans and cis individuals, including in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) which regulates sexual arousal and reward processing. Trans women had midway BNST volumes compared to cis men and women. Trans men showed male-typical BNST volume.

• Studies assessing white matter microstructure using diffusion tensor imaging found differences in white matter tracts implicated in emotion, empathy, reward processing, and sensory integration in trans compared to cis individuals. Findings aligned with felt gender identity.

• A meta-analysis combining findings from 14 MRI studies concluded that trans individuals consistently showed brain morphology more similar to their felt gender identity compared to the sex they were assigned at birth, providing compelling evidence for a neurocognitive basis of transgender identities.

• Reviews suggest distinct differences are found in the development of the cerebral cortex, subcortical structures, white matter, and functional activation and connectivity patterns between trans and cis individuals, particularly during puberty and in response to sex hormones.

• While more research is needed, findings suggest there are distinguishable differences in brain structure between trans and cis individuals, that capacity for gender identity and trans experience is neurobiologically substantiated rather than merely a social construct, yet still profoundly shaped by psychology, development, environment and society. No single study proves or disproves a purely biological basis for gender identity. More nuanced, multi-method perspectives are needed.

 

[Oddball]

Here are the key findings on brain structure differences in transgender people based on research:
• The INAH3 nucleus is larger in trans women compared to cis men, and similar in size to that of cis women. This nucleus is involved in sexual arousal and pleasure. This suggests trans women have a female-typical INAH3 volume, providing biological evidence for their gender identity.
• The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is important for gender and sexual arousal. The BNST volume in trans women is midway between the volumes of cis men and women, while trans men show a male-typical BNST volume. The BNST may be sensitive to sex hormones and important for gender identity.
• Cortical thickness differs between trans and cis people in regions involved in body perception, such as the insula and somatosensory cortex. Trans people often report a disconnect between their physical bodies and gendered sense of self. Cortical thickness in these areas may reflect this experience.
• Trans youth show differences in gray matter volume and cortical thickness in areas linked to social cognition, self-awareness, and autobiographical memory. These brain regions are important for developing concepts of self, identity, and personality.
• Trans men given testosterone therapy show changes in gray matter volume that resemble those of cis men given testosterone. There is evidence of "brain masculinization" in response to hormones. Trans women given estrogen therapy also show some female-typical changes.
• Differences have been found in white matter microstructure between trans and cis people, especially in white matter tracts involved in emotion, reward processing, and empathy. White matter structure may reflect prenatal and postnatal hormone influences on brain development.
• Studies on specific genetic variants point to genetic influences on brain regions involved in gender, sexuality, arousal, mood, and cognition—all of which relate to gender identity. Genetices likely interacts with development and hormones in shaping trans brains.
In summary, research suggests transgender people show patterns of brain structure more similar to their felt gender than biology sex. Certain nuclei, cortical thickness, gray matter volume, white matter microstructure, functional activation, and responsiveness to hormones align with gender identity rather than birth sex. While more research is needed, differences in trans people's brain morphology and development may have a biological basis and reflect neurocognitive experiences of gender identity.
Does this help summarize the key findings and perspectives on brain structure differences in transgender people? Let me know if you would like me to explore any part of this summary in more detail.

Found filed under: confirmation bias.

 

[Hurricanelover]

Can you explain how the BNST relates to gender identity?


The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis or BNST is a cluster of neurons located in the hypothalamus that plays an important role in regulating sexual arousal, reward processing related to sex, and hormonal influences on pleasure and motivation. Research suggests the BNST may also relate to gender identity in the following ways:
• The BNST develops sensitivity to sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen during puberty and responds to changes in hormone levels throughout life. This suggests it could integrate experiences of sexual maturation with gender identity development during adolescence.
• BNST volume differs between men and women, with men typically having a larger volume. Findings that trans women have an intermediate BNST volume between cis men and women, and trans men have a male-typical BNST volume, propose this region aligns more with gender identity than biology sex.
• The BNST helps process cues related to sex, rewards the anticipation and experience of sexual pleasure, and regulates libido - all of which relate deeply to concepts of sex, gender and sexuality. Distinct BNST responses in trans and cis individuals could underlie differences in how they experience and conceive of these dimensions.
• Interactions between the BNST, hormones, arousal, and reward suggest it helps create links between the physical/visceral, psychological, and social aspects of sexuality and gender. In this way, the BNST may integrate biology,identity, relationships and experiences related to sex and gender. Differences in trans individuals could reflect a distinct integration.
• Neuroimaging studies have found BNST activation in response to cues that match one's identified gender or sexual orientation, rather than biology sex. This provides further evidence this region associates more closely with felt experiences of sex and gender versus physical sex characteristics.
• The BNST develops parallel to and influences the development of other regions involved in embodiment, cognition of self, memory and social processing - all crucial for the development of identity, sexuality and gender concepts. Interactions between these regions, including the BNST, likely shape the multifaceted nature of sex and gender identity.
In summary, the BNST is a key part of biological systems that regulate sexuality and may anchor experiences of gender in motivation, arousal, pleasure, and reward. Differences in BNST structure/function could provide a mechanism for linking the biological with the social and psychological aspects of gender identity. However, while intriguing, much more research is still needed to validate BNST-identity relationships, determine their meaning and multifaceted nature, and understand how they may differ for people of various gender identities versus biology sex. The BNST contributes to sex and gender in complex, nuanced ways - it does not determine identity. An integrated, intersectional perspective is needed to fully understand its role.
Does this help explain how the BNST relates to gender identity according to current perspectives and findings? Let me know if you have any other questions. I can also suggest resources for learning more about the BNST and its role in sexuality/gender if needed.

 

[Dogmaphobe]

Can you explain how the BNST relates to gender identity?


The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis or BNST is a cluster of neurons located in the hypothalamus that plays an important role in regulating sexual arousal, reward processing related to sex, and hormonal influences on pleasure and motivation. Research suggests the BNST may also relate to gender identity in the following ways:
• The BNST develops sensitivity to sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen during puberty and responds to changes in hormone levels throughout life. This suggests it could integrate experiences of sexual maturation with gender identity development during adolescence.
• BNST volume differs between men and women, with men typically having a larger volume. Findings that trans women have an intermediate BNST volume between cis men and women, and trans men have a male-typical BNST volume, propose this region aligns more with gender identity than biology sex.
• The BNST helps process cues related to sex, rewards the anticipation and experience of sexual pleasure, and regulates libido - all of which relate deeply to concepts of sex, gender and sexuality. Distinct BNST responses in trans and cis individuals could underlie differences in how they experience and conceive of these dimensions.
• Interactions between the BNST, hormones, arousal, and reward suggest it helps create links between the physical/visceral, psychological, and social aspects of sexuality and gender. In this way, the BNST may integrate biology,identity, relationships and experiences related to sex and gender. Differences in trans individuals could reflect a distinct integration.
• Neuroimaging studies have found BNST activation in response to cues that match one's identified gender or sexual orientation, rather than biology sex. This provides further evidence this region associates more closely with felt experiences of sex and gender versus physical sex characteristics.
• The BNST develops parallel to and influences the development of other regions involved in embodiment, cognition of self, memory and social processing - all crucial for the development of identity, sexuality and gender concepts. Interactions between these regions, including the BNST, likely shape the multifaceted nature of sex and gender identity.
In summary, the BNST is a key part of biological systems that regulate sexuality and may anchor experiences of gender in motivation, arousal, pleasure, and reward. Differences in BNST structure/function could provide a mechanism for linking the biological with the social and psychological aspects of gender identity. However, while intriguing, much more research is still needed to validate BNST-identity relationships, determine their meaning and multifaceted nature, and understand how they may differ for people of various gender identities versus biology sex. The BNST contributes to sex and gender in complex, nuanced ways - it does not determine identity. An integrated, intersectional perspective is needed to fully understand its role.
Does this help explain how the BNST relates to gender identity according to current perspectives and findings? Let me know if you have any other questions. I can also suggest resources for learning more about the BNST and its role in sexuality/gender if needed.

Even if this were indisputable, it does not justify your desire to get at other people's children so you can shape their sexuality.