The brain of trans people what do we know about it?

Science has made interesting advances in the understanding and despatologization of people with sexual orientation and diverse gender identity. While we still have a way to go, research on these populations continue to shed light on their experiences. In this way, professionals are more prepared to provide support to those who need it. In this article, we will explore what we know about the brain of trans people.

To date, scientists cannot explain exactly what factors are involved in the formation of gender identity. However, recent studies increase our understanding about the subject and open the doors to a more inclusive and tolerant world.

Content

• CISGENERO AND TRANSGENERO: What do they mean?
• Does that mean that being transgender is a pathology?
• Is the brain of trans people different from that of CIS people?
• Why are studies on the brain of trans people?
  • References

CISGENERO AND TRANSGENERO: What do they mean?

When we talk about gender, we refer to a series of qualities and behaviors that society attributes to men and women. That is, it is what society considers typical characteristics of masculinity and femininity. In this sense, at birth, society assigns us a genre according to our genitals. Thus, a human who is born with a penis will be considered a man, while one with vagina will be a woman.

Most people end up identifying with the genre assigned to birth (cisgenero). However, there are cases of individuals who do not recognize the genre assigned as part of their identity. It is possible that they identify with the opposite genre that gave society, with both or a non -binary identity. All previous cases define the experience of transgender people.

Does that mean that being transgender is a pathology?

Following the anterior thread, modern society is characterized by being a cisnormative since the cisgenero people are the majority. So, there may be a biased vision that the "normal" is to be a cisgender because it is more common to observe it. But, the "normal" is something that depends on many factors and not only on statistics. Consequently, the fact that transgender people are a minority does not make them abnormal.

In previous times, medicine and psychology considered that transgender identities were part of some pathology. Luckily, studies on the brain of trans people and gender studies, as well as activism expanded scientific vision. Today, great advances have been made in the depatologization of transgender experience.

For example, the term Gender dysphoria He used to talk about the psychological discomfort that trans people had. If someone manifested not to identify with the genre assigned by society and felt discomfort, the diagnosis of Gender dysphoria. However, the World Health Organization eliminated this category in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases.

At present, the manual has a category called Conditions related to sexual health And there is the gender incongruity. In this way, Trans experiences cease to be a pathology and become a human condition such as race. This eliminates many legal barriers to transgender people and is a step for their inclusion.

Is the brain of trans people different from that of CIS people?

As mentioned before, studies on the brain of trans people allow us to better understand their experiences. When it comes to gender identity, it seems that a series of genetic, physiological and social factors intervene. This is the reality for both cisgender and transgender people and interesting findings have been made in the field of transgender biology.

A 2017 investigation found that the brain of transgender individuals shows functional connectivity patterns similar to those of the genre with which they identify. 160 adolescents and children participated in work and transgender children. Neuroimaging studies were carried out to evaluate brain activity patterns and comparisons were made.

In this way, the scientists discovered that the brains of the young people trans showed patterns equal to those of the genre with which they identified. Likewise, no differences were found in children in their pre -publish stage. From the perspective of the authors, that indicates that patterns that are associated with gender identity arise with age and puberty.

On the other hand, a 2022 review indicated that there are evidence of possible genetic and hormonal factors that influence gender identity. Many of these variables intervene in the perinatal stage of gestation and adolescence. Therefore, they can explain more depth how the brain of trans people works.

Why are studies on the brain of trans people?

First, understanding the mechanisms that act in the development of transgender people is essential to provide support. Recall that, often, this population tends to be discrimination and violence because of their condition of being. Therefore, Studying your reality is important to naturalize your experience and elaborate better physical and mental health interventions for them.

On the other hand, investigating the biology of transgender individuals is beneficial to understand the physiological and genetic factors of gender identity. As a result, these studies not only help the population trans, but also increase knowledge about CIS identities.

In conclusion, it is possible that the brain of trans people do work in a different way from that of CIS people. Although, that does not mean that they have any pathology and need to "cure". Beyond the differences, what matters most is that science advances to educate and eliminate the prejudices that are born from ignorance.

References

• Bakker, j. (2022). The Role of Steroid Hormones in the sexual differentiation of the human brain. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 3. 4(2), E13050.
• Note, n. M., Kreukels, b. P., Give heijer, m., Veltman, d. J., Cohen-Kettenis, p. T., Burke, s. M., & Bakker, J. (2017). Brain functional Connectivity Patterns in Children and Adoenors with Gender Dysphoria: sex-Atypical or Not?. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 86, 187-195.