Pregnenolone
Also known as: Preg
The upstream 'mother' hormone: a cholesterol-derived precursor to DHEA, progesterone, and downstream steroids, and a neurosteroid. Available OTC as a supplement; use with medical guidance.
Last updated
Mechanism of Action
Synthesized from cholesterol, pregnenolone sits at the top of the steroidogenesis pathway and is converted into progesterone, DHEA, and downstream sex and adrenal steroids. It also acts directly as a neurosteroid, modulating GABA and NMDA receptor signaling — the basis for interest in its effects on memory and mood.
- Half-life
- Short
- Administration Routes
- Oral
- Research Status
- Clinical
Reported Benefits
- Precursor support across the steroid hormone pathway
- Studied as a neurosteroid for memory and mood (early / mixed evidence)
Potential Side Effects
- Headache, insomnia, irritability
- Can shift downstream hormones (estrogen, androgens, progesterone) unpredictably
Common Dosing
Sold OTC at varying doses. Because it feeds the entire steroid pathway, use conservatively and with medical guidance; more is not better.
The dosing information above is aggregated from research literature and anecdotal community reports for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Peptides are sold as research chemicals only and are not intended for human use.
Contraindications
- Hormone-sensitive conditions
- Pregnancy
- Use with medical guidance, especially alongside other hormones
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Proof-of-concept trial with the neurosteroid pregnenolone targeting cognitive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia
2009
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A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pregnenolone for bipolar depression
2014
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Effect of Pregnenolone vs Placebo on Self-reported Chronic Low Back Pain Among US Military Veterans: A Randomized Clinical Trial
2020
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Pregnenolone can protect the brain from cannabis intoxication
2014