Pregnenolone
Also known as pregnenolone hormone, pregnenolone supplement
Key takeaways
- Pregnenolone reduces stress-induced craving and anxiety in cocaine use disorder (PMID: 36358943)
- Pregnenolone was tested for chronic low back pain in US military veterans (PMID: 32119096)
- Mitochondrial cytochrome P450 1B1 is involved in the synthesis of pregnenolone in human brain cells (PMID: 37442234)
What the research shows
AI-synthesized from 9 peer-reviewed sources · Updated 2025
Pregnenolone is a precursor steroid hormone and neurosteroid investigated for its effects on cognition, mood, and pain. Current research suggests potential benefits in treating addiction-related cravings and specific psychiatric symptoms, though evidence across various conditions remains limited and mixed.
By condition
Cocaine Use Disorder
Moderate
Pregnenolone may reduce stress-induced craving, anxiety, and autonomic arousal in individuals with cocaine use disorder.
Chronic Low Back Pain
Weak
A randomized clinical trial evaluated its effect on self-reported chronic low back pain among veterans.
Cognition and Mood (Dual Diagnosis/Schizophrenia)
Weak
Small-scale trials have explored its use for cognitive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia and dual diagnosis patients with varying results.
Depression
Insufficient
Preliminary evidence suggests a correlation between reduced urine pregnenolone concentrations and clinical response in depression.
Effective doses
Not specified in the provided abstracts.
Safety & interactions
No specific interactions or contraindications were provided in the source abstracts.
Limitations
Most studies have very small sample sizes (e.g., N=9 or N=27) and the overall body of evidence is fragmented across different psychiatric and physical conditions.
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How it's sold
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Research evidence
Showing top 10 of 9 sources, sorted by quality
**Naylor et al., 2020** | JAMA Netw Open | Rct Naylor Jennifer C, Kilts Jason D, ... Marx Christine E. Effect of Pregnenolone vs Placebo on Self-reported Chronic Low Back Pain Among US Military Veterans: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ne…
**Milivojevic et al., 2022** | Biomolecules | Rct Milivojevic Verica, Charron Lily, ... Sinha Rajita. Pregnenolone Reduces Stress-Induced Craving, Anxiety, and Autonomic Arousal in Individuals with Cocaine Use Disorder. Biomolecules. 2022-O…
**Osuji et al., 2010** | Psychiatry Res | Rct Osuji I Julian, Vera-Bolaños Elizabeth, ... Brown E Sherwood. Pregnenolone for cognition and mood in dual diagnosis patients. Psychiatry Res. 2010-Jul-30;178(2):309-12. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.20…
**Pedraz-Petrozzi et al., 2023** | Psychoneuroendocrinology | Rct Pedraz-Petrozzi Bruno, Lamadé Eva Kathrin, ... Deuschle Michael. Reduced urine pregnenolone concentration after clinical response in patients with depression: An open-label s…
**Marx et al., 2009** | Neuropsychopharmacology | Rct Marx Christine E, Keefe Richard S E, ... Shampine Lawrence J. Proof-of-concept trial with the neurosteroid pregnenolone targeting cognitive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Neurop…
**Lin et al., 2023** | J Biol Chem | Other Lin Yiqi Christina, Cheung Garett, ... Papadopoulos Vassilios. Mitochondrial cytochrome P450 1B1 is involved in pregnenolone synthesis in human brain cells. J Biol Chem. 2023-Aug;299(8):105035. doi…
**Kärkkäinen et al., 2016** | Alcohol | Other Kärkkäinen Olli, Häkkinen Merja R, ... Storvik Markus. Increased steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone and pregnenolone levels in post-mortem brain samples of alcoholics. Alcohol. 2016-May;52:6…
**Schumacher et al., 2008** | Neurochem Int | Narrative Review Schumacher Michael, Liere Philippe, ... Baulieu Etienne-Emile. Pregnenolone sulfate in the brain: a controversial neurosteroid. Neurochem Int. 2008;52(4-5):522-40 Pregnenolone s…
**Mayo et al., 2003** | Prog Neurobiol | Narrative Review Mayo Willy, George Olivier, ... Abrous Nora. Individual differences in cognitive aging: implication of pregnenolone sulfate. Prog Neurobiol. 2003-Sep;71(1):43-8 In humans and animals…
Frequently asked questions
What is pregnenolone and what is it used for?
Pregnenolone is a precursor steroid hormone and neurosteroid that is currently being investigated for its potential effects on cognition, mood, and pain. Research suggests it may help with specific psychiatric symptoms and addiction-related cravings, although evidence across various conditions remains limited and mixed.
Does pregnenolone work for cocaine addiction?
There is moderate evidence suggesting that pregnenolone may reduce stress-induced craving, anxiety, and autonomic arousal in individuals with cocaine use disorder. However, because the overall evidence for this condition is not strong, it should not be considered a standalone treatment without medical supervision.
Can pregnenolone help with chronic back pain?
Research on pregnenolone for chronic low back pain is considered weak, based on a randomized clinical trial involving veterans. While it was tested for self-reported pain relief, the evidence is not strong enough to confirm its effectiveness for this condition.
Does pregnenolone improve mood or cognition in schizophrenia?
Small-scale trials have explored pregnenolone for cognitive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia and dual diagnosis patients, but the evidence is weak and results have varied. Consequently, research is mixed regarding its ability to reliably improve these specific symptoms.
What is the effective dose of pregnenolone?
The provided evidence summary does not specify an effective dose for pregnenolone. Because dosing is not established in the current research, you should consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice rather than self-prescribing.
Is pregnenolone safe to take with other medications?
No specific drug interactions or contraindications were documented in the provided source abstracts. However, because it is a steroid hormone, individuals on other medications should consult a healthcare provider before use to ensure safety.
Who should avoid taking pregnenolone?
Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone, and while specific contraindications are not listed in the summary, pregnant individuals or those with hormone-sensitive conditions should generally avoid it unless directed by a doctor. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting, especially if you have existing health conditions.