Endogenous steroid precursors
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). |
| Mechanism | 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-life | ~30-45 min (parent; serum kinetics highly variable, rapid first-pass conversion) | Parent DHEA ~25 min; DHEA-S (sulfate-conjugated active metabolite) ~10 hours. |
| Onset | 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 status | 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).
Mechanism
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-life
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.
Onset
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 status
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.