The body adapts within certain limits to relatively low levels of stress and one of the problems is, we simply have no way of telling how stressed we are. Skin temperature is a reasonably good stress indicator, as blood is withdrawn from non-essential areas, like the skin, to feed the muscles, it causes a fall in tem- perature at the skin. We have already referred to testosterone, which has been found to have a negative feedback mechanism which works a little like the bal- lcock system in a toilet. When the testosterone reaches a certain required level, new production ceases for a while, just like the water flow that fills the toilet tank, stops when it reaches a given level. When levels fall the 'ballcock' records a lower reading and production is recommenced again. In this way a constant level is maintained.
There are sensors in our brains which record these lower levels and release hor- mones which tell us to start up production again. The actual mechanisms in our brain are far more complex than the crude workings of a ballcock. What actually happens is that our testosterone varies depending on what time of day it is, what time of year it is and also what age we are. Irrespective of this, the point I wish to make, is that there is a desired level which is predetermined. When we are stres- sed we produce two other hormones that affect our testosterone levels, one is called prolactin and the other DHEAS. Prolactin causes us to make more DHEAS which converts through to testosterone and it also makes the cells of our body take more testosterone and DHT into them.
Although testosterone production via the usual route remains constant, another route has been activated which does not have a ballcock to stop its production so the levels keep increasing and the cells become more efficient at using the hor- mones. The only way to slow production down is to make the mind and body act as if the stress is over.
