Pregnenolone
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Pregnenolone is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 333 participants, researched for Memory & Cognitive Function, Mood & Depression, Pain & Inflammation and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Memory & Cognitive Function
StrongMood & Depression
StrongPain & Inflammation
ModerateSubstance Use & Stress Management
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Memory & Cognitive Function
To evaluate pregnenolone supplementation on memory performance in older adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate pregnenolone supplementation on memory performance in older adults
Dose
500 mg/day pregnenolone
Participants
55 healthy adults aged 45-75 with memory complaints
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant improvements in verbal recall and learning tasks (p=0.04). Working memory accuracy improved. Plasma pregnenolone sulfate levels correlated with memory performance.
How They Measured It
California Verbal Learning Test, attention, working memory
To assess pregnenolone on working memory and attention in schizophrenia
Study Type
Randomised, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess pregnenolone on working memory and attention in schizophrenia
Dose
100-500 mg/day pregnenolone
Participants
58 patients with schizophrenia
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant improvements in working memory and attention (p=0.03) vs placebo. Positive symptoms trend toward improvement. GABA-A positive modulation proposed mechanism.
How They Measured It
MATRICS cognitive battery, PANSS, working memory tasks
Mood & Depression
To evaluate pregnenolone as adjunct for bipolar depression
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate pregnenolone as adjunct for bipolar depression
Dose
500 mg/day pregnenolone
Participants
80 patients with bipolar disorder in depressive phase
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in MADRS depression scores (p=0.04). HAM-D also improved. Cognitive function as secondary endpoint also improved. Well tolerated.
How They Measured It
MADRS, HAM-D, CGI-S, CDRS
To assess pregnenolone on mood and quality of life in middle-aged adults with low steroid levels
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess pregnenolone on mood and quality of life in middle-aged adults with low steroid levels
Dose
200 mg/day pregnenolone
Participants
60 adults aged 45-65 with low neurosteroid levels
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in POMS mood scores and energy (p=0.03). SF-36 quality of life improved. Neurosteroid levels normalised. Fatigue reduced vs placebo.
How They Measured It
POMS, SF-36, DHEA-S, pregnenolone sulfate levels
Pain & Inflammation
To evaluate pregnenolone for low back pain and analgesia
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate pregnenolone for low back pain and analgesia
Dose
50-100 mg/day pregnenolone
Participants
40 patients with chronic low back pain
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in pain VAS (p=0.02) and ODI disability scores. Spinal mobility improved. Analgesic effects consistent with neurosteroid modulation of pain pathways.
How They Measured It
Pain VAS, ODI disability index, spinal mobility
To evaluate pregnenolone on cannabis use disorders and mood
Study Type
Randomised, controlled pilot
Purpose
To evaluate pregnenolone on cannabis use disorders and mood
Dose
200-400 mg/day pregnenolone
Participants
40 adults with cannabis use disorder
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in cannabis craving and use frequency (p=0.03). Withdrawal symptoms attenuated. Mood improved vs placebo. Pregnenolone shown to reduce cannabis-induced effects.
How They Measured It
Cannabis use frequency, craving scores, mood measures
To summarize evidence for pregnenolone in neurological and psychiatric conditions
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To summarize evidence for pregnenolone in neurological and psychiatric conditions
Dose
Various
Participants
Systematic review
Duration
Various
Results
Evidence supports cognitive, mood, and analgesic effects. Neurosteroid mechanisms well-documented. Bipolar depression benefits promising. Safety acceptable at study doses. More large-scale RCTs needed.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of human trials
Substance Use & Stress Management
To evaluate whether pregnenolone reduces provoked craving and cocaine use in individuals with cocaine use disorder.
Study Type
Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial
Purpose
To evaluate whether pregnenolone reduces provoked craving and cocaine use in individuals with cocaine use disorder.
Dose
Pregnenolone 300 mg twice daily
Participants
Men and women with cocaine use disorder
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Pregnenolone significantly reduced provoked cocaine craving and decreased cocaine use compared to placebo in individuals with cocaine use disorder.
How They Measured It
Craving ratings, cocaine use frequency (urine screens), stress measures
To evaluate pregnenolone effects on parasympathetic response to stress and alcohol cue provocation in treatment-seeking individuals with alcohol use disorder.
Study Type
Randomized Controlled Trial
Purpose
To evaluate pregnenolone effects on parasympathetic response to stress and alcohol cue provocation in treatment-seeking individuals with alcohol use disorder.
Dose
Pregnenolone 400 mg daily
Participants
Treatment-seeking individuals with alcohol use disorder
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Pregnenolone significantly improved parasympathetic response to stress and reduced alcohol cue reactivity in alcohol use disorder patients.
How They Measured It
Heart rate variability (HRV), alcohol craving scales, stress reactivity
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pregnenolone research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Pregnenolone (Pregnenolone), involving 333 total participants. Research covers Memory, Mood & wellbeing, Stress relief and 2 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Pregnenolone has been researched for: Memory, Mood & wellbeing, Stress relief, Hormonal balance, Neuroprotection. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 9 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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