Endogenous steroid precursorsSteroid precursorAn early molecule in the body’s steroid-biosynthesis pathway from which hormones are formed.
Pregnenolone vs DHEA
The table compares the compounds’ key data from their entry pages. Open each compound’s full entry for details. Educational content, not medical advice.
 Pregnenolone | DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | "Master steroid" – endogenous steroid precursor (cholesterol → pregnenolone → all steroid hormones). OTC supplement. Evidence quality LOW: oral bioavailability poor (~5-10%), neurosteroid NMDA/GABA action drives small cognitive benefit. AAS-PCT niche use. | Endogenous adrenal androgen precursor (cholesterol → DHEA → androstenedione → Test). US-OTC, EU-Rx. Better evidence than Pregnenolone, but in young healthy men minimal Test elevation + ~15-20% E2 rise. WADA S1.1.b listed (banned). |
| MechanismMechanism of actionThe molecular pathway by which a compound acts in the body (e.g. which receptor or enzyme it binds). | Endogenous steroid precursor (cholesterol → pregnenolone → all downstream hormones) + CNS neurosteroid NMDA/GABA-A modulator | Endogenous adrenal C19-steroid precursor → peripheral conversion androstenedione → Test + E2 |
| Dosing | 25-100 mg oral once daily in evening (OTC range); AAS-PCT niche protocol 50 mg/day × 4-8 weeks | 25-50 mg/day oral, morning (mimic endogenous diurnal pattern). AAS-PCT upper range 50 mg. |
| Half-lifeHalf-lifeThe time for the compound’s plasma concentration to fall by half; indicates how fast it clears and how often it is dosed. | ~30-45 min (parent; serum kinetics highly variable, rapid first-pass conversion) | Parent DHEA ~25 min; DHEA-S (sulfate-conjugated active metabolite) ~10 hours. |
| OnsetOnsetThe time from dosing until a measurable effect appears. | Neurosteroid CNS effect 1-3 hours; downstream hormone effect (if any) 2-7 days chronic dosing | Serum DHEA-S rise 1-2 hours after oral dose; Test-axis support measurable after 2-4 weeks chronic dosing. |
| Legal statusLegal / WADA statusThe compound’s regulatory status (e.g. prescription) and its place on the WADA prohibited-in-sport list. | OTC dietary supplement (USA DSHEA-1994 schedule); EU countries variable (food-supplement or unregulated); NOT WADA-banned | US: OTC dietary supplement (DSHEA 1994); EU (HU, DE, FR, IT): prescription-only medication. WADA S1.1.b banned. |
| Full entry | Open → | Open → |
What it is
Pregnenolone"Master steroid" – endogenous steroid precursor (cholesterol → pregnenolone → all steroid hormones). OTC supplement. Evidence quality LOW: oral bioavailability poor (~5-10%), neurosteroid NMDA/GABA action drives small cognitive benefit. AAS-PCT niche use.
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)Endogenous adrenal androgen precursor (cholesterol → DHEA → androstenedione → Test). US-OTC, EU-Rx. Better evidence than Pregnenolone, but in young healthy men minimal Test elevation + ~15-20% E2 rise. WADA S1.1.b listed (banned).
MechanismMechanism of actionThe molecular pathway by which a compound acts in the body (e.g. which receptor or enzyme it binds).
PregnenoloneEndogenous steroid precursor (cholesterol → pregnenolone → all downstream hormones) + CNS neurosteroid NMDA/GABA-A modulator
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)Endogenous adrenal C19-steroid precursor → peripheral conversion androstenedione → Test + E2
Dosing
Pregnenolone25-100 mg oral once daily in evening (OTC range); AAS-PCT niche protocol 50 mg/day × 4-8 weeks
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)25-50 mg/day oral, morning (mimic endogenous diurnal pattern). AAS-PCT upper range 50 mg.
Half-lifeHalf-lifeThe time for the compound’s plasma concentration to fall by half; indicates how fast it clears and how often it is dosed.
Pregnenolone~30-45 min (parent; serum kinetics highly variable, rapid first-pass conversion)
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)Parent DHEA ~25 min; DHEA-S (sulfate-conjugated active metabolite) ~10 hours.
OnsetOnsetThe time from dosing until a measurable effect appears.
PregnenoloneNeurosteroid CNS effect 1-3 hours; downstream hormone effect (if any) 2-7 days chronic dosing
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)Serum DHEA-S rise 1-2 hours after oral dose; Test-axis support measurable after 2-4 weeks chronic dosing.
Legal statusLegal / WADA statusThe compound’s regulatory status (e.g. prescription) and its place on the WADA prohibited-in-sport list.
PregnenoloneOTC dietary supplement (USA DSHEA-1994 schedule); EU countries variable (food-supplement or unregulated); NOT WADA-banned
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)US: OTC dietary supplement (DSHEA 1994); EU (HU, DE, FR, IT): prescription-only medication. WADA S1.1.b banned.