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SUPPLEMENT_SCHOLAR
evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Compound

Pregnenolone

Master steroid precursor; small doses studied for cognition and PTSD.

Hormone OptimizationBrain & CognitiveMood & Anxiety

Overview

Master steroid precursor; small doses studied for cognition and PTSD.

Natural sources
  • Synthesized
Common forms
  • Pregnenolone

Mechanism of action

Precursor to all steroid hormones; neurosteroid activity at NMDA/GABA.

Pathways
  • · Steroidogenesis
  • · Neurosteroid

Effects on the body

Supports
Mood & cognition

Organ system effects

Brain & CNS

Improves cognition in schizophrenia (low-quality data).

Evidence-based benefits

Improves negative symptoms in schizophrenia

Limited evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · Headache
Rare
  • · Acne
Serious

    Drug interactions

    Hormonal therapies
    Additive.
    moderate

    Safety & non-supplemental interactions

    Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

    Avoid if you are
    • ·Pregnant or breastfeeding
    Avoid with these conditions
    • ·Hormone-sensitive cancers
    • ·Bleeding disorders
    • ·Seizure disorder
    Avoid / monitor with these medications
    • ·Hormonal therapies
    • ·Anticoagulants

    Supplement interactions

    Pairs well with

    None listed.

    Avoid combining with

    No specific avoidances listed.

    Dosing & bioavailability

    Typical dose
    10–50 mg

    Where to buy

    Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

    Compound
    Pregnenolone
    Amazon
    Wide selection · fast shipping
    Compound
    Pregnenolone
    iHerb
    Global delivery · curated brands
    Compound
    Pregnenolone
    Thorne
    Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

    Scientific evidence (8)

    RCTNeuropsychopharmacology · 2009

    Pregnenolone in schizophrenia

    Marx CE, et al.

    8-week RCT of pregnenolone adjunct in schizophrenia.

    Key findings

    Improved cognition and negative symptoms.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Pregnenolone — Improves negative symptoms in schizophrenia

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Pregnenolone Improves negative symptoms in schizophrenia" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pregnenolone and "Improves negative symptoms in schizophrenia". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Pregnenolone — randomized controlled trial

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Pregnenolone randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pregnenolone and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Pregnenolone — meta-analysis

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Pregnenolone meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pregnenolone and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Pregnenolone — pharmacokinetics

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Pregnenolone pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pregnenolone and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Pregnenolone — safety adverse events

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Pregnenolone safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pregnenolone and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Pregnenolone — dose response

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Pregnenolone dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pregnenolone and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

    Google Scholar: Pregnenolone — clinical evidence

    Live Scholar search

    Cross-database citation index for Pregnenolone as it relates to "clinical evidence".

    Key findings

    Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

    Open study
    Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.