While pregnenolone is not currently a prohibited substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, it is considered an unapproved new drug and therefore cannot be legally compounded or included in dietary supplements, so athletes should exercise caution with any product claiming to contain pregnenolone. Keep reading to learn more.
What is pregnenolone?
Pregnenolone is a hormone naturally produced in the body by the adrenal gland. Pregnenolone is also made from cholesterol and is the starting material in the production of testosterone, progesterone, cortisol, estrogen, and other hormones. Because the body uses it biochemically as starting material, pregnenolone is sometimes referred to as a “precursor” or “pro-hormone”.
What is pregnenolone used for?
There has been interest in pregnenolone for a long time as an anti-aging compound, for hormone replacement, and to treat a myriad of medical conditions. Since pregnenolone is a precursor in the synthesis of other hormones, sometimes it is advertised to boost the production of other hormones and may make people feel more energetic and younger. There is no clear scientific evidence that pregnenolone is effective for this purpose.
Is pregnenolone a banned substance?
Pregnenolone is not on the WADA Prohibited List. However, WADA reviews and updates the List annually, and substances can be added to the List at any time. Therefore, you should always double check the current status of any substance on GlobalDRO.com before using it.
What about pregnenolone in dietary supplements?
The legal status of pregnenolone in dietary supplements has not been explicitly stated by the FDA since there is no specific list of “approved dietary ingredients”. However, the FDA has issued warning letters in the past to companies1 marketing pregnenolone in dietary supplements and compounded drugs. In those warning letters, the FDA made clear that pregnenolone is an unapproved new drug and therefore cannot be compounded or included in dietary supplements.
Since pregnenolone is not prohibited, can I go ahead and use it?
Yes, you may use pregnenolone without incurring an anti-doping rule violation. However, by doing so, you also accept all risks inherent to the supplement and compounding industry. USADA considers the use of any dietary supplement that claims to deliver or “boost” hormones to be especially risky. To learn more about risks associated with the supplement industry, visit Supplement Connect. You can also read more about compound pharmacies.
Can I get a Therapeutic Use Exemption for a compounded formulation of pregnenolone?
No. A TUE is not required for pregnenolone because it is not prohibited.
