Ray Peat on DHEA

January 3, 2026

Aging Skin, Progesterone, and Vitamin D

"It has been known for several decades that the production of progesterone and DHEA steadily decreases with age, and in recent years it has been found that aged skin produces only about half as much vitamin D upon sun exposure as young skin. Old skin contains about half as much cholesterol as young skin, so it is not surprising that the substances derived from it are also reduced."

November 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

The Fundamental Role of Progesterone and DHEA

"Progesterone and DHEA are the precursors of other, more specialized steroid hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone (the sodium-retaining hormone), estrogen, and testosterone."

Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life

Concerns About Administering DHEA Without Hormonal Balance

"Since DHEA can easily be metabolized into testosterone (for example, in the skin) and estrogen, I consider it inappropriate to ever administer it alone without an approximately natural balance of pregnenolone and progesterone."

Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life

Personal Experience: Effects of Progesterone and DHEA on Melanomas

"Years ago, I had some probable melanomas, and I found that progesterone and DHEA, along with increased thyroid activity, caused them to disappear quickly."

Email response from Ray Peat

Toxicity of Plant Steroid Derivatives and Their Regulation by DHEA and Progesterone

"Digitalis and ouabain are plant steroid derivatives that are toxic to animal cells—especially heart muscle cells—by acting at a site normally regulated by substances like DHEA and progesterone."

September 1995 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Positive Effect of Progesterone on Heart Function

"Albert Szent-Györgyi showed that the heart responds to progesterone, and more recent research has shown that DHEA is our endogenous digitalis."

June 1992 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Low DHEA Levels Associated with Premature Death

"A low level of the hormone DHEA is associated with premature death from various causes, including cancer and heart disease."

December 1992 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Decline of Protective Hormones in the Aging Brain

"In young people, the brain contains a very high concentration of pregnenolone and its derivatives DHEA and progesterone, all of which stabilize cells and protect against the effects of cortisol. However, with age, these decline to about 5% of their normal concentration, exposing the brain to the destructive effects of cortisol."

January 1991 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Decline of Protective Hormones in the Aging Brain

"The content of progesterone, pregnenolone, and DHEA in the brain is normally 20 to 30 times higher than the serum concentration, and these hormones provide protection against both estrogen and cortisone."

April 1991 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

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