Pregnenolone — Dosing, Cycles, Half-Life & Side Effects
Pregnenolone is an anabolic-steroid precursor with a half-life of Hours. Neurosteroid precursor to all steroid hormones with neuroprotective effects. This page is educational harm-reduction reference compiled from peer-reviewed literature — not medical advice, not an endorsement, not a recommendation to use. Consult a licensed clinician before any decision.
Quick Facts
| Class | Steroid Precursor |
|---|---|
| Half-life | Hours |
| Hepatotoxicity | None |
| Suppression | 0/10 |
Typical Dosing Ranges
Common dose range: 10-100mg/day
Cycle length: Ongoing supplementation
Dose ranges are compiled from published pharmacokinetic studies and community-reported usage. Where a value is community-reported rather than clinically studied, this page and its structured data flag it. Lower end of any range is always the safer starting point.
Stacking Considerations
- No structural stacking blockers. Standard harm-reduction rules apply: minimize total androgen load, minimize oral exposure, and monitor bloodwork.
PCT Requirements
- Never stack two SERMs. Extend a single SERM (tamoxifen OR enclomiphene/clomiphene) rather than combining.
- Use the cycle planner to generate a full protocol based on your complete stack, not this compound alone.
Side Effect Profile
- Variable conversion
- May increase hormones
- Limited direct effects
- Research ongoing
Known Interactions
No compound-specific interactions are catalogued in the current matrix. This does not mean no risk exists — it means there is no curated pairwise entry. Browse the full interaction matrix to cross-reference manually.
Related compounds
Monitoring (Bloodwork & Vitals)
- Comprehensive metabolic panel (baseline, mid-cycle, post-cycle)
- Lipid panel (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides)
- CBC (hemoglobin, hematocrit — watch for erythrocytosis)
- Sex-hormone panel (Total T, Free T, Estradiol sensitive, SHBG, LH, FSH)
- Blood pressure (weekly self-check; flag systolic >140 or diastolic >90)
Baseline bloodwork is recommended before any cycle. Discontinue if liver enzymes exceed 3× upper limit of normal or if hematocrit exceeds 54%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the half-life of Pregnenolone?
Pregnenolone has a half-life of approximately Hours. This figure is used to determine injection frequency (for esters) and post-cycle clearance timing.
What is the typical dose range for Pregnenolone?
Commonly reported ranges for Pregnenolone: 10-100mg/day. Cycle length: Ongoing supplementation. These are compiled from published studies and community-reported usage — individual response varies and lower end is always preferred.
Does Pregnenolone suppress natural testosterone?
Pregnenolone causes minimal suppression of the HPTA axis (score 0/10). PCT may still be advisable depending on stack and duration.
What is Pregnenolone typically used for?
Pregnenolone is commonly used for: Cognitive enhancement, Mood support, Hormone support. Intended-use context does not imply safety — every use case carries the same underlying pharmacological risks.
Is Pregnenolone legal?
Pregnenolone is a controlled substance in many jurisdictions (typically Schedule III in the US when it is an anabolic androgenic steroid). StackItSmart does not provide sourcing information. Possession, import, and use without a prescription carry legal consequences that vary by country and state.
Citations
- Vallee M et al.. 2001. Brain Res Rev — Pregnenolone neurosteroid review; FDA-approved as dietary supplement, limited clinical trials for PED use
- Marx CE, et al. Proof-of-concept trial with the neurosteroid pregnenolone targeting cognitive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2009;34(8):1885-903. PMID: 19339966
- Vallée M, et al. Pregnenolone can protect the brain from cannabis intoxication. Science. 2014;343(6166):94-8. PMID: 24385629
Disclaimer
StackItSmart is an independent harm-reduction reference. The content above is compiled from peer-reviewed literature and is not medical advice, not an endorsement, and not a recommendation to use Pregnenolone. Performance-enhancing compounds carry legal, endocrine, cardiovascular, and hepatic risks. Consult a licensed clinician before any decision. StackItSmart does not provide sourcing, procurement, or dosing prescriptions.