News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

High testosterone levels are often associated with aggression, but a new study suggests that the hormone may also affect your religiosity .

Researchers from McGill University in Canada have found that men with high testosterone levels are less likely to be religious.

In the study, the researchers analysed data of over 1,000 men aged 57-85, including their weight and height, saliva and blood samples.

Participants also completed questionnaires about how often they attended religious services and whether they had a clergy member in their core social network.

(Image: Getty)

The analysis revealed that men with higher levels of the sex hormones testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in their bodies had weaker religious ties.

Dr Aniruddha Das, who led the study, said: “Religion influences a range of cultural and political patterns at the population level. Results from the current study indicate the latter may also have hormonal roots.

“There is therefore a need for conceptual models that can accommodate the dynamic interplay of psychosocial and neuroendocrine factors in shaping a person’s life cycle.”

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

The researchers suggest that further studies are needed to understand how hormones shape a person’s religious beliefs in later life.

Dr Das added: "Without systematic exploration of these linkages, life course theory remains incomplete and potentially inaccurate.

“More research is therefore needed on the reasons why androgen levels influence a person’s religious connections, and on the role that hormones play in structuring the life trajectories of older people.”