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Adolescents with higher testosterone levels were better at adjusting their trust levels. This effect was most apparent among boys. For them, testosterone increased theory of mind, which in turn predicted more strategic trust—investing more in friends and less in strangers.

You know how some people seem to have a sixth sense for who’s trustworthy? Turns out, for teenagers, that might come down to hormones—specifically, testosterone. A recent study found that teens with higher testosterone levels were better at adjusting their trust levels, especially boys. They weren’t just blindly trusting everyone; they were strategic about it.

Here’s the interesting part: testosterone didn’t just make them more trusting or more suspicious. It sharpened their “theory of mind”—their ability to understand what others are thinking. That meant they could size up situations better, trusting friends more and strangers less. It’s like their internal “trust radar” got an upgrade.

So why does this matter? Adolescence is when we start navigating more complex social worlds. Figuring out who to trust is a big deal—whether it’s friendships, relationships, or even social media. This research suggests that hormones might play a bigger role in those decisions than we thought.

Of course, it’s not just about biology. Environment and upbringing matter too. But it’s fascinating to think that something as simple as a hormone could fine-tune how teens read the room.

What do you think? Have you noticed differences in how teens (or even adults) handle trust? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your take.