Pregnenolone is the first hormone produced from cholesterol. From pregnenolone, all other steroid hormones are then created (DHEA, testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, etc.). If there is a deficiency in pregnenolone, there can be a cascade of deficiencies in these other important hormones. Pregnenolone itself is a powerful hormone. It has been shown to decrease inflammation, improve memory, and counteract the effects of high stress.