Based Camp | Simone & Malcolm Collins

Why Do Studies Show IQ Declining After Gender Transition?

Oct 3, 2025
The discussion tackles the controversial link between puberty blockers and declining IQ, delving into animal studies that show dramatic cognitive changes. Personal anecdotes add depth as the hosts explore the social and ethical implications of these findings. They examine both supporting and conflicting research, emphasizing the need for transparency around hormone treatment effects. The conversation also touches on personal reflections about gender transition and the implications for adults considering these medical decisions.
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INSIGHT

Puberty Blockers Linked To Significant IQ Drops

  • Malcolm and Simone state multiple studies link puberty blockers to IQ declines of ~7–15 points in humans and larger effects in animals.
  • They argue these drops are large, persistent, and not trivial for development.
ANECDOTE

Secret Prescriptions And Online Grooming Claims

  • Malcolm recounts a case where a psychologist secretly gave a child hormones after one meeting without parental knowledge.
  • He also plays a clip describing online communities encouraging getting minors on blockers.
INSIGHT

Sheep Models Show Lasting Cognitive Harm

  • Sheep given GnRH agonists during prepuberty showed long-term spatial memory deficits persisting after treatment ended.
  • Researchers link these deficits to disrupted hippocampal and amygdala development during a critical window.
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