Health Insights

​What is DHEA and How it Effects Those with Depression

​What is DHEA and How it Effects Those with Depression

Posted by Portions Master on 17th Mar 2023

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone that is naturally produced by the adrenal gland. It is a precursor to other hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, and has been the subject of much research in recent years. One area of interest is the potential link between DHEA levels and depression.

Depression is a common mental health disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. While the causes of depression are complex and not fully understood, it is thought to be related to changes in brain chemistry, specifically the levels of certain neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.

Research has suggested that there may be a link between low levels of DHEA and depression[1]. Studies have found that people with depression tend to have lower levels of DHEA compared to those without the disorder. Additionally, some studies have found that supplementing with DHEA may improve symptoms of depression.

May Help Treat Schizophrenia

DHEA has been studied as an alternative to therapeutic drugs. In a study that focused specifically on schizophrenic patients, 200 mg per day of DHEA was administered for a period of six weeks, and it resulted in improved sustained attention, as well as visual and movement skills. This is exciting news, as it could mean adding another layer of opportunity for managing this debilitating mental illness and possibly even replacing some more conventional and sometimes fewer effective treatments. Apparently, the hope is that other long-term studies will show that DHEA may be adapted into treatments for many psychological diseases, providing us with yet another avenue for treating these complex medical issues[2].

Improves Memory and Cognition

Postmenopausal women stand to gain a broad range of cognitive benefits when taking daily doses of DHEA. A recent study showed that 25 mg/day of the supplement increased cognitive scores in older women with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment and slowed the decline of skills needed for daily functioning, as well as improving verbal test scores. Research on young men suggests even more potent effects, leading to improved memory and lower evening cortisol levels with an even higher dose of 300 mg/day over a seven-day period. Recent studies have revealed just how much DHEA can improve memory recognition tasks, perceptions and judgments - indeed, it has been shown to cause positive changes in nerve impulses within the brain's memory-related regions as well.

Summary

DHEA is a powerful natural compound with many brain-preserving properties. Studies have shown that levels of DHEA decrease significantly with advancing age, which can leave the brain increasingly vulnerable to many metabolic, toxic, and chemical threats when it is needed the most. Low DHEA could lead to a variety of minor or severe mental health problems such as major depression, mild cognitive impairment, and even neurodegenerative diseases. The good news is that taking Portions Master DHEA has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of mood and memory impairments in older adults while fighting off metabolic and vascular disorders associated with aging and poor brain functioning. Additionally, research shows that supplementation with DHEA could improve other areas such as reducing blood sugar levels, improving insulin sensitivity, decreasing cholesterol levels and weight gain, and enhancing blood vessel functioning.

References:
  1. Mayo Clinic on DHEA benefits
  2. DHEA Augmentation Improves Schizophrenic Symptoms