In Dave Asprey’s recent episode of The Human Upgrade, Shalin Shah, CEO of Marius Pharmaceuticals, discusses the testosterone misinformation that’s affecting millions. Together, Dave and Shalin unpack the real causes of the global testosterone crisis – including endocrine disruptors, poor sleep, diet, and outdated fears around steroids and toxic masculinity. Explore how the future of hormone health is evolving, and how oral testosterone medications like KYZATREX® is rewriting the rules with a safer, more effective delivery method.
Beyond Diet and Exercise: The Role of Testosterone
It’s great to focus on your diet, sleep schedule, and exercise, but those alone may not fully restore healthy testosterone levels. Even well-intentioned habits can fall short if they’re not tailored to support hormonal balance. That’s why it’s important to work with a registered dietitian to ensure your nutrition is properly balanced for hormone health. This will optimize aspects like protein intake, micronutrient balance, and timing in a way that works with your lifestyle over a generic plan. Additionally, partnering with a personal trainer can help you develop a strength-focused workout routine that supports testosterone production rather than depleting it through overtraining or chronic cardio.
While clean eating and consistent workouts are foundational, it’s equally important to make sure your efforts are moving you in the right direction. As Dave puts it, “I would not have done all the things I have done in the world if I was low on T. It’s that big.” Testing your hormone levels gives you a clear picture of what’s really going on under the surface, and can help you avoid wasting time on strategies that may not be effective for your unique biology. With the right data, the right professionals, and a targeted approach, improving your testosterone levels becomes not just possible, but sustainable.
Featured Clip: Why Diet and Sleep Alone Won’t Fix Low Testosterone
Does Steroid Stigma Block Effective Treatment?
There are several misconceptions surrounding testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). For years, it’s been tangled up with outdated stereotypes—associated with steroids, bodybuilding, or toxic masculinity. In reality, testosterone is a foundational metabolic hormone that is critical for energy, mood, cognitive function, and overall health.
Because of this stigma, symptoms of low testosterone are often overlooked or misattributed. Fatigue, brain fog, and decreased motivation and other low T symptoms can feel like everyday stressors, but they might actually signal a hormonal imbalance. That’s why it’s essential to check your testosterone and other key biomarkers before jumping to conclusions or beginning any form of treatment. Here’s a list of low T symptoms people are likely to ignore:
- Poor sleep
- Afternoon fatigue
- Brain fog
- Poor sexual health
- Depression
TRT misconceptions don’t stop with men. Many women are told that testosterone therapy will make them bulky or cause unwanted hair growth. The reality? With the right, medically appropriate dose, testosterone can support healthy energy, libido, mood, and muscle tone—without pushing your body beyond its natural range. The benefits on your overall health outweigh any concerns like this that are unlikely to occur.
Another common concern with testosterone therapy is its impact on fertility. While traditional TRT can suppress natural testosterone production and sperm count, there are ways to use testosterone safely without compromising fertility. Working with a knowledgeable provider who understands how to balance hormone support with fertility preservation can help maintain reproductive health while still reaping the benefits of optimized testosterone.
Featured Clip: Fighting the stigma—TRT isn’t cheating
How Testosterone Drives Dopamine & Motivation
Testosterone plays a critical role in activating dopamine pathways in the brain, which directly impacts motivation, mood, and overall mental clarity. Despite this connection, the conventional response to symptoms of low dopamine (such as depression or lack of drive) is often to prescribe SSRIs.
But before turning to pharmaceutical intervention, a more foundational approach would be to test testosterone and thyroid levels. In many cases, low testosterone may be the root cause of reduced dopamine activity.
TRT has been shown to increase dopamine signaling, boost brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF), and reduce neuroinflammation in both men and women. All of these things support mood stability, cognitive function, and energy production. Additionally, it increases motivation and causes the desire to want to work towards a goal and be productive. These are essential mechanisms often disrupted in individuals experiencing symptoms of depression or low motivation, many of which can be improved by optimizing testosterone levels. While the necessary levels of testosterone differ for men and women, even a slight boost can cause people to notice improvements in their day to day energy and motivation.
The Breakthrough That Makes ODTs Safe & Effective
When it comes to testosterone delivery methods, each option has its drawbacks. Topical creams can be messy and pose a risk of transference to children or family members through skin contact or shared surfaces. Injections, while common, often leave lasting tissue damage at the injection site, especially when used repeatedly over time. That’s why finding a delivery method that is both effective and safe is so important.
Orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) offers a modern, user-friendly alternative. It's absorbed through the lymphatic system via the small intestine, bypassing the liver entirely and eliminating concerns about liver toxicity. This sets it apart from earlier versions of oral testosterone, which were hepatotoxic and understandably raised red flags for many clinicians. ODTs provides therapeutic benefits, without the common risks associated with other delivery methods, making it a smarter, safer choice for long-term use.
Featured Clip: How our ODT avoids liver toxicity
Still have questions about how KYZATREX® can help elevate your life? Watch the whole podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to get answers and get started on your journey to a healthier and happier life today.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.
