Pregnenolone as Adjunct in Schizophrenia: RCT
Neuropsychopharmacology (2010)
500mg/day improved negative symptoms and neurocognitive performance vs placebo over 8 weeks.
Pregnenolone
Oral SR capsule (25mg, 50mg, 100mg)Available in all 50 statesMarketing purposes only. Actual medications, if prescribed, are dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
hormones
PregnenolonePregnenolone
The master neurosteroid and primary precursor to virtually all steroid hormones. Synthesized from cholesterol in adrenals, gonads, and brain. Used for cognitive support, mood enhancement, and downstream steroid production support.
Substrate for all downstream steroid hormones
Pro-cognitive and memory-enhancing effects
Anti-amnestic neurosteroid activity
Generally well tolerated
No commitment · HSA/FSA eligibleNo commitment · HSA/FSA eligible
How it works
Mechanism of action
Converted from cholesterol by CYP11A1. As substrate for all steroidogenic pathways. Neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate is a positive NMDA receptor modulator and negative GABA-A modulator, producing pro-cognitive and memory-enhancing effects.
The baseline panel.
Every Marek client receives this baseline panel before a provider review. Your provider may add additional biomarkers based on your health history, symptoms, and goals, pulling from 1,000+ available markers. See more biomarkers →
Hormone Profile
12 markers
Sex hormones
- Total TestosteroneLC/MS
- Free TestosteroneEquilibrium Dialysis
- Estradiol, Sensitive / UltrasensitiveLC/MS
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
- ProgesteroneLC/MSFemale panel
- Prolactin
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- hCG, Total, QuantitativeFemale panel, pre-menopause
Adrenals & neurosteroids
- Cortisol
- DHEA-S
Growth hormone / IGF-1
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1)
Thyroid Status
3 markers
Thyroid hormones
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Free T4
- Free T3
Heart Health
9 markers
Cardiovascular health
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- LDL:HDL Ratio
- VLDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Apolipoprotein-B (ApoB)
- C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity (hsCRP)
- Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))
Metabolism
3 markers
Insulin sensitivity
- Blood Glucose
- Fasting Insulin
- HbA1c
Organ Function
26 markers
Liver & pancreas
- AST
- ALT
- Bilirubin, Total
- γ-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Kidney function
- BUN
- Creatinine w/ eGFR
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Glucose
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- Creatinine
- eGFR
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Carbon Dioxide, Total
- Calcium
- Protein, Total
- Albumin
- Globulin, Total
- Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- AST
- ALT
Prostate health
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)Male panel
- Free PSAMale panel
- % Free PSAMale panel
Nutrient Status
31 markers
Vitamins & minerals
- Vitamin D, 25-OHD (25-Hydroxy)
- Magnesium, RBC
Iron status
- Iron
- Iron Saturation
- TIBC
- UIBC
- Ferritin
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- White Blood Count (WBC)
- Red Blood Count (RBC)
- Hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Hematocrit (HCT)
- MCV
- MCH
- MCHC
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
- Platelets
- Neutrophils
- Neutrophils (Absolute)
- Lymphocytes
- Lymphocytes (Absolute)
- Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio
- Monocytes
- Monocytes (Absolute)
- Eosinophils
- Eosinophils (Absolute)
- Basophils
- Basophils (Absolute)
- Immature Cells
- Immature Granulocytes
- Immature Granulocytes (Absolute)
- NRBC, w/ Reflex for Immature Cells
Clinical evidence
The research behind Pregnenolone.
Safety profile
Monitoring & safety information.
Commonly reported side effects
- Acne (downstream androgen conversion)
- Irritability at higher doses
- Insomnia (NMDA activation)
- Hair loss in predisposed individuals
Less common but serious risks
- Unpredictable conversion to downstream hormones
- May worsen hormone-sensitive conditions
Generally not appropriate for
- Hormone-sensitive cancers
- Pregnancy
- Epilepsy (may lower seizure threshold)
Typical monitoring
- Serum pregnenolone
- DHEA-S, progesterone, testosterone, estradiol
- Symptom assessment
FAQ
Quick answers.
The master neurosteroid and primary precursor to virtually all steroid hormones. Synthesized from cholesterol in adrenals, gonads, and brain. Used for cognitive support, mood enhancement, and downstream steroid production support.
Substrate for all downstream steroid hormones. Pro-cognitive and memory-enhancing effects. Anti-amnestic neurosteroid activity. Generally well tolerated.
Common side effects include: acne (downstream androgen conversion), irritability at higher doses, insomnia (nmda activation), hair loss in predisposed individuals. Most side effects are dose-dependent and may resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
The master neurosteroid and primary precursor to virtually all steroid hormones. Synthesized from cholesterol in adrenals, gonads, and brain. Used for cognitive support, mood enhancement, and downstream steroid production support.
Treatments are dependent on licensed clinical prescription. Client costs vary based on individual labs and panel in treatments and services.