Pregnenolone
Hormones · Neurosteroid / upstream precursor
Tier C+
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/
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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.