A recent study published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology suggests that the way young men perceive and respond to social stress may be explained not by individual hormone levels alone, but by the dynamic balance between testosterone and cortisol. According to the research, high testosterone is linked to a lower perception of stress—but only when cortisol, the primary “stress hormone,” is low. Conversely, elevated cortisol appears to ease stress only in those with lower testosterone. This nuanced finding adds depth to our understanding of stress, with implications for emotional health and well-being among men in Thailand and globally (PsyPost).
Stress is an everyday reality, amplified in modern Thai society by pressures at work, school, and home. Understanding why some individuals see stressful events as challenges while others perceive them as threats is crucial for tailoring effective coping strategies. The research led by a doctoral candidate at Vilnius University in Lithuania adds to ongoing scientific discourse by affirming the so-called “dual-hormone hypothesis.” This theory emphasizes that the interplay between status-related hormones (testosterone) and the body’s stress response hormone (cortisol) influences behavior and emotional processing, not just the absolute blood concentrations of each. In Thailand, where the stresses of economic fluctuations, academic pressures, and social expectations are common, these insights may explain the wide variation in how Thai men react emotionally and physically to life’s trials—and suggest new avenues for stress management interventions.
In the study, researchers recruited 37 healthy young men between the ages of 20 and 28. Participants’ baseline testosterone and cortisol levels were measured via saliva samples. They were then subjected to a mild psychosocial stressor known as the short Sing-a-Song Stress Test, which required each participant to sing the national anthem for three seconds on camera in front of expert judges—a task designed to evoke mild social evaluative anxiety. While heart rates rose—a classic marker that the nervous system sensed threat or challenge—the test did not produce a sharp increase in cortisol, likely because the stressor was relatively mild. After the test, participants were asked to rate how stressful they found the experience.
The researchers discovered a striking pattern: Among men with low cortisol, higher testosterone predicted feeling less stress; among those with high cortisol, testosterone had little to no effect. Conversely, in men with low testosterone, high cortisol levels actually helped buffer the subjective stress response. These results held true across statistical models, suggesting robustness despite the study’s moderate size. “We were surprised to see significant interactions between testosterone and cortisol on stress perception, even in a study with relatively few participants and a mild stressor,” explained the Vilnius University research leader in comments to PsyPost. “This suggests these hormonal interactions could be important in everyday situations.”
The science behind these findings is rooted in the role of the two hormones. Cortisol, often dubbed the “stress hormone,” is produced in the adrenal glands as part of the body’s natural alarm system, and helps manage metabolism, immunity, and emotional recovery. Testosterone, well-known as the main male sex hormone, is actually present in both sexes, but at higher levels in men. Its influence extends far beyond reproduction; it strongly shapes behavior, particularly status-seeking, dominance, and competitiveness. In analyzing how stress responses are shaped, the research highlights that it is the delicate balance—rather than the absolute volume—of these key hormones that drives how we feel and react under pressure.
This understanding has cultural and societal relevance for Thailand. Thai men, whether facing oral exams, high-stakes work presentations, or navigating public scrutiny, may find their stress perceptions deeply mediated by their unique hormone profiles. Framed within the context of Buddhist teachings — with their emphasis on inner balance and mindfulness — this research provides another biological lens for Thais to consider the roots of composure and resilience. The findings also help explain why “face” and status can play such a central role in Thai society, affecting not just outward behavior but internal emotional states in stressful situations.
Expert perspectives on the implications of this research are wide-ranging. The study’s principal investigator noted, “Our bodies are well-equipped to handle a ‘run from the bear’ situation, but modern stressors can be more complex and harder to understand. Since psychosocial stress is likely to increase, it’s important for people to learn how to manage it, and for scientists to understand what factors affect our reactions to it.” This is particularly relevant as Thailand’s urbanizing society sees shifts toward more competitive workplaces and classrooms, where public evaluation and loss of face are growing sources of anxiety.
While the study’s immediate findings are limited to men, mainly due to previous evidence that testosterone-cortisol interactions are more easily measured in this group, the authors acknowledge the importance of extending research to women. In contemporary research, gender disparity in neuroscience and mental health studies is well recognized, and including women could uncover important differences in how stress is perceived and regulated—differences that can be related to hormones like estrogen and progesterone. This is vital for Thailand, where mental health literacy is growing but gender-based stigma regarding emotional resilience and vulnerability persists.
From a medical and psychological perspective, the research aligns with global calls to address stress-related disorders such as anxiety and depression, conditions that are on the rise among younger Thais due to both societal and economic factors (WHO: Thailand Mental Health). “How stressed you feel in a social situation might depend on the balance of cortisol and testosterone in your body,” the Vilnius University scientist summarized simply. In the Thai context, where spiritual practices often blend with modern therapies, such insights expand the repertoire of self-understanding and treatment.
There are also potential implications for health monitoring and intervention in Thailand’s schools and universities, where student stress is a common issue. Thai educators and counselors may benefit from understanding that students’ stress resilience is partly biological in origin, laying the groundwork for more empathetic, individualized approaches to counseling. It also underscores the need to promote healthy lifestyles that support hormonal balance: adequate sleep, regular exercise, and avoidance of chronic stress are associated with improved testosterone and cortisol profiles (Harvard Health: Stress and Your Immune System).
Delving into Thailand’s history, it is worth noting that traditional Thai medicine has always emphasized bodily and emotional balance, using herbs and holistic therapies to regulate stress and mood. Modern scientific findings about hormone interactions could rejuvenate interest in age-old Thai practices such as herbal sauna, meditation, and massage, long believed to restore “homeostasis” — a state of physical and psychological equilibrium akin to the hormonal balance now described in research. This convergence of science and tradition is uniquely relevant as Thai society becomes increasingly interested in evidence-based wellness.
Looking forward, the authors of the study are advocating for larger, more diverse research groups to see how these hormonal interactions affect a broader population, including women and diverse age cohorts. Future research could also investigate how other hormones — such as estrogen and progesterone — interact with stress itself, especially given that mood disorders such as depression and anxiety manifest differently by sex and hormones. In Thailand, where the population is experiencing both demographic shifts and rising interest in mental health services (Bangkok Post: Mental health, stigma and opportunity), such research could help design more inclusive, culturally attuned mental health interventions.
For Thai readers seeking practical recommendations, the key takeaway is that managing stress effectively involves both mind and body. While hormone levels cannot be changed overnight, healthy sleep routines, regular physical activity, mindfulness meditation, and social support networks can all contribute to healthier hormone balances and thus more resilient responses to psychosocial pressures. Those experiencing persistent feelings of stress or anxiety should consult qualified mental health professionals, who can provide personalized advice and support in line with both cultural context and scientific best practices.
To stay ahead, Thais interested in enhancing their well-being should keep abreast of cutting-edge research while respecting time-honored wisdom. Understanding that stress perception is a dance between hormones, environment, and mindset is itself an empowering insight — one that offers hope for improved mental wellness, both individually and as a society.
Sources: PsyPost, Harvard Health, WHO: Thailand, Bangkok Post