About Pregnenolone
Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone precursor ('mother hormone') that the body converts into DHEA, progesterone, cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen. A few small psychiatric RCTs (Marx 2009 n=18, Ritsner 2010 n=58) showed cognitive benefits in schizophrenia at 30–500 mg/day. No RCTs exist for general wellness, memory, or anti-aging claims in healthy individuals. Because it directly alters hormone levels, supplementation carries risks that typical supplements don't — it can convert unpredictably into different hormones depending on individual metabolism. Not recommended without medical oversight.
What Pregnenolone supports
- Small psychiatric trials suggest cognitive improvement (not in healthy adults)
- Precursor to multiple steroid hormones (DHEA, progesterone, cortisol)
How much Pregnenolone to take
The RDA prevents deficiency. The effective range is what clinical trials used to actually move the outcome.
Effective
30–100
mg
General supplement range 30–100 mg/day. Psychiatric RCTs used up to 500 mg/day (Marx 2009, Ritsner 2010) but these doses are not recommended without medical supervision. This is a hormone, not a vitamin.
Clinical evidence
Limited clinical evidence. Only small psychiatric RCTs (n=18–58). No evidence for general wellness use. Hormone precursor with unpredictable conversion — not a typical supplement.
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