Rankings / Hormones & Endocrine
Pregnenolone
Hormones & Endocrine · Neurosteroid / upstream precursor
Tier C+
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Pregnenolone as C+ (5.5/10) based on weak evidence, low-med benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
Individual conversion to downstream hormones varies widely — some people preferentially shunt to cortisol vs DHEA vs progesterone.
Typical use: 10-50 mg/day PO — OTC (US); Rx elsewhere.
What this is
Individual conversion to downstream hormones varies widely — some people preferentially shunt to cortisol vs DHEA vs progesterone. Marx 2009 trials in schizophrenia showed cognitive benefit. 'Master hormone' biohacker narrative oversells; data is modest.
Mechanism
Precursor to all steroid hormones; synthesized from cholesterol via CYP11A1; direct neurosteroid activity via GABA-A/NMDA modulation; memory and mood effects possibly independent of downstream hormone conversion
Dose & route
10-50 mg/day PO
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19145006/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24145040/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3547126/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- Does Pregnenolone work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Pregnenolone as Weak and the benefit magnitude as low-med, producing an overall grade of C+ (5.5/10). Individual conversion to downstream hormones varies widely — some people preferentially shunt to cortisol vs DHEA vs progesterone.
- Is Pregnenolone safe?
- Pregnenolone has a low risk profile in published human data. Legal status: OTC (US); Rx elsewhere. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Pregnenolone?
- 10-50 mg/day PO
- How does Pregnenolone work?
- Precursor to all steroid hormones; synthesized from cholesterol via CYP11A1; direct neurosteroid activity via GABA-A/NMDA modulation; memory and mood effects possibly independent of downstream hormone conversion
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.