Does Turmeric Block Dihydrotestosterone?

Andrew Huberman says turmeric is a fairly potent dihydrotestosterone antagonist. Dihydrotestosterone is made from testosterone through an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. It is the more powerful androgen, with anywhere from 300 to 600 times the affinity for the androgen receptor. Testosterone is the androgen responsible for muscle growth, deepening the voice, aggression, and sex drive.

Dihydrotestosterone is mainly responsible for libido and many of the cognitive effects of testosterone. Androgen receptors in the amygdala give testosterone a fear-suppressing component. Huberman says dihydrotestosterone, more than testosterone, has a property of making effort feel good, and he says that is probably the main psychological effect of testosterone aside from libido and the body periphery. Creatine increases dihydrotestosterone. Huberman says someone who takes creatine and loses hair very quickly is probably dihydrotestosterone sensitive. Dihydrotestosterone promotes hair loss on the scalp and promotes beard growth, with inverse effects on the face and on the scalp.

The higher affinity for the androgen receptor is the basis of nandrolone, also called deca. A female runner who had been a good pick for the 1500 got a four-year ban after a nandrolone positive test. She and her coach claim the result came from a burrito containing pork with nandrolone. Huberman says he does not know whether she took nandrolone.