Healthy older adults received 50 mg oral DHEA daily for one year.
Fifty milligrams daily oral DHEA versus placebo for 1 year.
Evidence scope. Human RCT; supports the top of the 25-50 mg/day range, not the 25 mg endpoint or anti-aging efficacy.
Hormonal Dietary supplementHormoneScheduled outside the US
DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone
25-50mg – 25-50 mg Oral daily
Supplement
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a naturally occurring steroid hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands, with smaller amounts made by the gonads and brain. It is the most abundant circulating steroid hormone in the human body and serves as a precursor to both androgens (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone) and estrogens (estradiol, estrone). DHEA levels peak in the mid-20s and decline progressively with age, falling by approximately 80% by age 70-80.
Quick Start
Route
Oral
Start low
25-50mg Oral
Frequency
daily
Timing
Take in the morning to mimic natural circadian rhythm
❋
Start here. Every protocol below is ordered lowest-first. Begin at the smallest effective dose, hold about a week to assess tolerance, and step up only if needed.
Tiered Protocols · lowest first
Conservative start
conservative starter
25-50mg
daily
Standard
Adrenal & Hormone Baseline
human clinical trial · Morales et al. 1994 (J Clin Endocrinol Metab)
Females typically require much lower doses (5-15mg) to avoid virilization symptoms compared to males.
25-50 mg
Daily
◆
01
How it works
Serves as a biosynthetic precursor that is enzymatically converted to androgens (via 17beta-HSD and 5alpha-reductase) and estrogens (via aromatase) in peripheral tissues through intracrine mechanisms, allowing tissue-specific hormone production.
Directly activates sigma-1 receptors in the brain, which modulate NMDA receptor activity, neurosteroid signaling, and may contribute to neuroprotective and mood-enhancing effects independent of sex hormone conversion.
May modulate immune function through effects on T-cell and NK cell activity, shifting the balance from cortisol-dominant (catabolic/immunosuppressive) toward a more anabolic and immunocompetent state.
02
What to expect
Early
Days 1–7
Weeks 1-2: DHEA-S serum levels rise measurably. Subjective effects are typically minimal in this period.
03
Evidence
HumanStrong
AnimalPresent
In-vitroPresent
Each reference below was re-fetched from its PubMed record, and the quoted sentence was confirmed to appear in that abstract and to support the claim it sits under. Follow any of them to read the source.
DHEA and DHEAS are substrates for peripheral sex-hormone biosynthesis.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS) are the major circulating adrenal steroids and substrates for peripheral sex hormone biosynthesis.
Long-term DHEA replacement in primary adrenal insufficiency: a randomized, controlled trial.
Evidence scope. Human Addison’s-disease RCT context; supports precursor biology, not sigma-1 receptor or immune-shift claims.
At 50 mg/day, postmenopausal women reported more androgenic acne and increased hair growth than placebo.
Overall AE reports and number of withdrawals as a result of AEs were similar in both groups; however more women in the DHEA group experienced androgenic effects of acne and increased hair growth.
Evidence scope. Human 52-week RCT; sex- and population-specific, not a universal incidence estimate.
Claims we could not support
No abstract we checked supports these for this molecule at this route. That is not the same as saying they are false — it marks where the evidence is missing.
Lower quick-start endpoint: 25 mg orally daily. Checked exact-route abstracts support 50 mg/day; no selected abstract verifies 25 mg/day for the page’s general population.
04
Interactions & stacking
Two different questions: what is documented about running these together, and what is documented about drawing them into the same syringe. A good pharmacological partner can still have to be pinned separately.
Documented together
EnclomipheneBoth support endogenous hormone production through different mechanisms - DHEA as precursor, enclomiphene via HPG axis stimulation
EpicatechinNo pharmacological conflict - DHEA supports hormonal milieu while epicatechin targets muscle physiology
GnRH (Gonadorelin)Different mechanisms of HPG axis support - no direct interaction
FisetinNo interaction - oral senolytic and oral hormone precursor work through independent pathways
Keep separate
AnastrozoleDHEA converts to estrogens via aromatase - AI use may over-suppress estradiol if DHEA is the primary estrogen source (relevant for women)
Testosterone CypionateDHEA converts to testosterone - combining with exogenous testosterone may cause supraphysiological androgen levels without monitoring
Hormone-sensitive cancer therapiesDHEA is a precursor to sex hormones - contraindicated in estrogen or androgen receptor-positive cancers
Check any specific pair in the Stack & Interaction Checker, which answers both questions separately. Absence of a documented conflict is not evidence of safety.
05
Pharmacokinetics
Illustrative plasma concentration · 36 h
Half-life
~7-10 hours
Peak · Tmax
~1-2 hours
Oral
Elimination
~2-3 days
Bioavailability
~50-75%
Oral (extensive first-pass metabolism)
Duration of action
12-24 hours
DHEA-S serves as circulating reservoir with longer duration; downstream androgen/estrogen effects persist
Clearance
Hepatic (sulfation to DHEA-S, glucuronidation, CYP-mediated oxidation); renal excretion of conjugated metabolites
Storage. Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place. Oral compound - no reconstitution needed.
06
Regulatory status
OTC dietary supplement in the United States under DSHEA. Prasterone (Intrarosa) vaginal insert is FDA-approved for dyspareunia. DHEA is a prescription or controlled substance in Australia, Canada, and several European countries. Banned by WADA in competitive sports.
Put it to work
Calculate, log & track
Open DHEA straight into OnePin with your vial and dose pre-filled, then let it handle the syringe math and remind you before the vial runs out.
Open DHEA in the app →Go deeper
The guide & community
The complete DHEA walkthrough, real protocol discussion and coaching live inside the BlessUp community on Skool.
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