In recognition of the last day of Men’s Health Month, this post will examine a unique study conducted in Germany.

Thousands of medical research studies are published each year. Many add to the existing knowledge base about a certain medical condition, while others may suggest new areas for future research. A handful of studies each year could be considered “game changers”, and may lead to immediate re-examination of existing clinical treatment protocols.

On the other hand, there are also those studies which may make you scratch your head and mutter “huh?”. A recent study may fall into this latter category. In the study, entitled “Testosterone Administration Reduces Lying in Men”, German researchers looked at the effects of the application of testosterone to a group of healthy men, average age 24 years. On day one of the experiment, men were given either real testosterone gel or a placebo. On the second day of the experiment the men participated in dice rolling and other experiments. Testosterone levels were checked in all study subjects, and were (as expected) much higher in the testosterone treated group.

The researchers concluded that there was a lower incidence of lying in the testosterone treated group.

It’s not clear if there will be a follow-up study here in the US, perhaps sponsored by one of the testosterone replacement product manufacturers. Politicians may be a group worthy of further study. 

(Source-PLOS ONE, October 2012, Volume 7, Issue 10)

This blog is a review of medical and scientific literature, and should only be used for informational purposes. It does not constitute medical or health advice, nor does it create a physician-patient relationship with anyone. Discuss any health concerns with your personal physician.