Enhanced memory and cognitive function
Improves memory formation, recall, and overall cognitive performance
Pregnenolone
Primary steroid hormone precursor known as the 'mother hormone' that serves as the starting point for all other steroid hormones
Scientific name3β-Hydroxypregn-5-en-20-one
FormulaC21H32O2
Molecular weight316.48 g/mol
CAS145-13-1
85
absorption score
7
safety / 10
30
USD per month
5
documented interactions
Check it against something
Pregnenolone with:
- Amylase
- Ashwagandha
- Avocado Oil
- BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acids)
- Beetroot Powder
- Beta-Alanine
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Bovine Collagen
- Caffeine
- Calcium
- Calcium Bone Formula
- Calcium Carbonate
- Casein Protein
- Chicken Collagen
- Choline (Bitartrate)
- Chondroitin Sulfate
- Coconut Oil
- Collagen Peptides
- Comprehensive Immune Support Complex
- Comprehensive Multivitamin-Mineral Complex
- Creatine HCL
- Creatine Monohydrate
- D-Mannose
- DHA
- Electrolyte Blend
- EPA
- Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
- Folate (5-MTHF)
- Ginger
- Iron Fumarate
- Iron Sulfate
- Joint Mobility Formula
- Keratin
- Krill Oil
- L-Carnitine
- L-Citrulline
- Lactase
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lipase
- Magnesium Citrate
- Magnesium Glycinate
- Magnesium Oxide
- Marine Collagen
- Melatonin
- Modafinil
- Olive Oil Extract
- Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula
- Papain
- Phosphatidylserine
- Protease
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Turmeric
- Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
- Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate)
- Vitamin D3
- Whey Protein
- Zinc Gluconate
Nothing found
78
out of 100
Works better together
Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.
What it does
mechanism and evidence for each claimImproved mood and stress resilience
Supports positive mood and helps manage stress and anxiety
Hormone precursor support
Provides raw material for production of all steroid hormones
Enhanced energy and vitality
Supports energy production and overall sense of well-being
Neuroprotective effects
Protects brain cells and supports healthy brain aging
Others take these for the same thing
Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one
Melatonin
Sleep support & circadian rhythm
0.5-3mg
A
50%
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
Energy & nerve support
250-1000 mcg
A
70%
Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
Heart & brain health
1-2g EPA/DHA
A
85%
L-Theanine
Calm focus & stress relief
100-400mg
B
90%
Vitamin B8 (Inositol)
Mental health & PCOS support
2-18g (condition dependent)
B
95%
Boron - Essential Trace Mineral for Bone and Hormone Health
Bone health & hormone support
3-10mg daily
B
85%
Every pair we checked
12 combinations scored by the engine
Pregnenolone + Caffeine
May increase overstimulation risk
Needs attention
58
Pregnenolone + Creatine Monohydrate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Pregnenolone + Calcium Carbonate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Pregnenolone + Whey Protein
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Pregnenolone + Lactase
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Pregnenolone + Bovine Collagen
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Pregnenolone + DHA
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Pregnenolone + Turmeric
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Pregnenolone + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Pregnenolone + Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula
Improved brain health and hormone synthesis
Works better together
75
Pregnenolone + Vitamin D3
Enhanced hormone synthesis and nervous system function
Works better together
75
Pregnenolone + Phosphatidylserine
Enhanced cognitive and memory benefits
Works better together
78
Dosage
Daily10-50mg daily
Cognitive support10-30mg daily
Hormone precursor25-50mg daily
Mood stress support10-25mg daily
MaximumGenerally not more than 100mg daily without supervision
When to expect it
First Effects1-3 weeks for initial cognitive and mood improvements
Peak Benefits6-12 weeks for optimal neurological and hormonal benefits
Deficiency DevelopmentNatural decline begins around age 30-35
Toxicity OnsetSide effects rare but may occur with doses above 100mg daily
How to measure it
MarkerPregnenolone, cortisol, DHEA-S, testosterone, progesterone
OptimalPregnenolone: 50-250 ng/dL (varies by age and gender)
Deficient belowPregnenolone: <50 ng/dL
FrequencyBaseline, then 8-12 weeks after starting, then every 6 months
What people actually reported to the FDA
CAERS, 16 reports naming it as the suspectMost reported effects
Named as the suspect
16 reports
of 20 that mention it at all
Serious outcome
73%
hospitalisation, emergency room or worse
Other Serious or Important Medical Event8
Hospitalization4
Other Outcome4
Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →
What actually reaches you
The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Absorption
Very high 85 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound
Delivered daily
25.5 mg
Cost per 100 mg delivered
$3.92 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage
Works better with
+
Phosphatidylserine
Enhanced cognitive and memory benefits
Both support brain cell membrane function · level B
+
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Improved brain health and hormone synthesis
Provide building blocks for hormone and neurotransmitter production · level C
+
B Vitamins
Enhanced hormone synthesis and nervous system function
Cofactors for steroidogenesis and neurotransmitter production · level CWhat not to take with Pregnenolone
!
Excessive Caffeine
May increase overstimulation risk
Both can increase nervous system arousal · mild significance
!
Alcohol Excess
Impairs pregnenolone synthesis and effects
Disrupts steroidogenic pathways and brain function · moderate significanceMedication interactions
Discuss these with a pharmacist before combiningMay enhance or interfere with GABA effects
What to do: Monitor for altered sedation effects
May have additive hormonal effects
What to do: Requires medical supervision
May affect neurosteroid activity
What to do: Monitor seizure control
Available forms
Micronized Pregnenolone: Mother hormone, Cognitive benefits, Mood support, Neuroprotective
Food sources
Natural endogenous production only
Cannot be obtained from food sources · N/A
Cholesterol-rich foods (support synthesis)
Provide cholesterol precursor for pregnenolone synthesis · 40
Pregnenolone supplements
Synthetic pregnenolone identical to endogenous hormone · 85
Too little
- Low pregnenolone symptoms (common with aging):
- Memory problems and cognitive decline
- Poor stress tolerance and mood changes
- Decreased energy and motivation
- Hormonal imbalances affecting multiple systems
- Reduced neuroplasticity and learning ability
- Increased susceptibility to neurodegenerative changes
Too much
- Pregnenolone excess or sensitivity symptoms:
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia
- Mood swings and irritability
- Overstimulation and racing thoughts
- Headaches (rare)
- Skin changes (rare)
Who benefits most
cognitive-decline-memory-issues
Supports brain function and memory enhancement
10-30mg daily, preferably morning
aging-adults-hormone-decline
Natural pregnenolone decline with aging
10-50mg daily with monitoring
stress-anxiety-mood-support
Neurosteroid effects on mood and stress response
10-25mg daily
chronic-fatigue-low-energy
Hormonal support for energy and vitality
15-30mg daily
brain-health-neuroprotection
Neuroprotective effects and brain aging support
10-30mg daily long-termWhere to buy it
Look for Pregnenolone at 10-50mg daily per serving. The form that matters here is Micronized Pregnenolone.
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What else affects it
Beyond other supplements
!
Excessive caffeine
May increase overstimulation risk
Both can increase nervous system arousal
!
Alcohol excess
Impairs pregnenolone synthesis and effects
Disrupts steroidogenic pathways and brain functionHow it works
- Serves as precursor to all steroid hormones via steroidogenic pathway
- Modulates GABA-A receptors enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission
- Influences NMDA receptors affecting learning and memory
- Crosses blood-brain barrier acting as neurosteroid
- Supports myelin sheath formation and neural membrane integrity
- Modulates HPA axis function and stress response
Key findings
what the evidence supports- Pregnenolone shows promise for cognitive enhancement and memory support
- Most effective in older adults with age-related cognitive decline
- Generally well-tolerated with potential neurological benefits
- More research needed to establish optimal dosing and long-term effects
Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02
Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →
Common questions
What are the benefits of Pregnenolone?
Documented effects: Enhanced memory and cognitive function; Improved mood and stress resilience; Hormone precursor support; Enhanced energy and vitality. Improves memory formation, recall, and overall cognitive performance
How much Pregnenolone should you take per day?
The common daily range is 10-50mg daily. By goal — cognitive support: 10-30mg daily; hormone precursor: 25-50mg daily; mood stress support: 10-25mg daily; maximum: Generally not more than 100mg daily without supervision.
When is the best time to take Pregnenolone?
Morning. First effects are typically reported within 1-3 weeks for initial cognitive and mood improvements.
What are the side effects of Pregnenolone?
At excessive doses: Pregnenolone excess or sensitivity symptoms:, Anxiety and restlessness, Sleep disturbances and insomnia, Mood swings and irritability, Overstimulation and racing thoughts. Safety rating at normal doses is 7 out of 10.
What should you not take with Pregnenolone?
Separate it from Excessive Caffeine, Alcohol Excess by two to four hours. May increase overstimulation risk
Does Pregnenolone interact with medications?
Documented interactions with benzodiazepines, hormone-replacement-therapy, seizure-medications. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.
How do you know if you need Pregnenolone?
The marker is Pregnenolone, cortisol, DHEA-S, testosterone, progesterone, optimal range Pregnenolone: 50-250 ng/dL (varies by age and gender). Common deficiency signs: Low pregnenolone symptoms (common with aging):, Memory problems and cognitive decline, Poor stress tolerance and mood changes, Decreased energy and motivation.