Pregnenolone, Pregnanolone, Neurohormones, Neurosteroids
Updated November 27, 2023
Sex and Adrenal Hormones Program
This information is for educational purposes only, to facilitate quality conversations between patients and their personal physician(s). Several additional considerations are required to safely administer any protocol for an individual. This information is NOT intended to diagnose, treat or encourage self-treatment of any medical condition.
The sex and adrenal hormones are made on the same chassis-cholesterol! They are not only manufactured in the testes/ovaries and adrenal glands, many cells can make these hormones internally, which often is not reflected in blood, saliva or urine tests. For this reason, Dr. Cheikin uses the body itself (and it’s symptoms) to monitor response.
Pregnenolone is the “grandmother” of sterol hormones, all which begin with cholesterol (and why cholesterol can go up during stress and hypothyroidism). It is then made into many adrenal and sex hormones, including progesterones, estrogens, testosterones, cortisones, aldosterone and others.
It is also considered a “neurohormone” or more specifically a “neurosteroid” because it bridges the nervous and hormonal systems.
DHEA is considered the beginning of sex hormones, since both testosterone and estrogen is made from this precursor.
Pregnenolone and DHEA are available as supplements, but they are still hormones with potentially powerful effects. Dosing and timing of pregnenolone and DHEA has a wide range and timings from early morning to late at night. Working with an experienced practitioner can help optimize outcome and avoid the pitfalls of this subtle but powerful hormone.
When considering any hormone, its best to consider it as part of a complex network. Each hormone is modulated by many other hormones, binding molecules, receptors, genetics and epigenetics, creating a complex symphony which we can hear but not conduct! For the main adrenal page which will give you the important basic information, click here.
Benefits of Pregnenolone_ What Is It & Why You Should Be Taking It – Marion Gluck
Neurosteroid Actions in Memory and Neurologic-Neuropsychiatric Disorders.2019
Allopregnanolone as a mediator of affective switching in reproductive mood disorders.2014
Pleiotropic actions of allopregnanolone underlie therapeutic benefits in-stress-related-disease.2020