• Largely an adrenal hormone and is the ultimate stress management hormone. 
• Optimal levels improve mood, stress management abilities, sex drive, energy, memory, and bone health 
• Over a lifetime you will release more DHEA than any other hormone. It has a high concentration in the blood 20x higher than any other hormone. 
• DHEA helps with healthy cortisol production as both pregnenolone and DHEA can be converted into cortisol. 
• DHEA protects testosterone from the negative impact of high cortisol levels. 
• When cortisol levels are elevated, DHEA becomes depleted and is not able to protect testosterone levels. 
• DHEA can convert into other derivatives that are way more potent such as androstenediol which stimulates the immunity one hundred times more than DHEA. 
• Also can convert into androstentriol which is 300 times more potent than DHEA. 
• DHEA supplementation taken at night can result in a 20% increase in growth hormone 
• Dr. Mark Gordon recommends keeping levels at 500 mcg/dl. No serious side effects from too much DHEA. oily skin and acne only. 
• Men with the lowest levels of DHEA were 67% more likely to die from a heart attack and 54% more likely to die from any cause.
• Studies show, for example, that people with higher DHEA levels have less mental confusion, lower anxiety, and a less negative mood.
• Other studies have found that DHEA levels (in its circulating, sulfated form, DHEA-S) correlate with overall cognitive function in men and women, and with better working memory, attention, and verbal fluency found in women with the highest levels.
• Low DHEA levels are associated with multiple brain-related disorders, including stress-induced clinical burnout, bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
• The Taipei Physical Education College discovered that supplementation with 50 mg DHEA makes the hormonal response to interval training better. 
• In a human study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology 50mg taken twice per day lowered levels of creatine kinase significantly which is an indicator of muscle damage.
• Participants taking DHEA in the study also reported a reduction in muscle soreness and pain.
• Another study suggests that a sign of optimal health is the large production of anabolic hormones such as IGF-1, DHEA, and testosterone
• A study with DHEA cream supplementation on the face was shown to prevent an increase in wrinkles around the eyes. In a four-month study wrinkle around the eyes increased in the control group but not in the group taking DHEA cream. The total increase in wrinkles around the eyes increased by 25% in the control group but not in the DHEA cream group. 
• Sensoril® Ashwagandha which has been shown to increase DHEA and lower cortisol. As a result, it supports testosterone production and is an integral component in the overall formula. In a human clinical trial, serum cortisol levels decreased by 24.2% while serum DHEA levels increased by 32.2% in subjects taking Sensoril®.
• Magnesium oil has been shown to increase DHEA levels. the magnesium reacts with the skin in a way that stimulates DHEA production. 
• Zinc, magnesium, selenium, Vitamin A, are all important for sex hormone production 

According to an article in Life Extension Magazine, clinical studies show the following benefits with dosages in the 15mg to 50mg range.

• Decreases in visceral (belly) fat
• Decreases in subcutaneous (under the skin) fat
• Increases insulin sensitivity up to 30%
• Increases in protective HDL levels of nearly 12%
• Decreases in dangerous LDL cholesterol of up to 11%
• A decrease of almost 20% in triglycerides
• Increases in levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a molecule that is vital to controlling blood sugar and other metabolic parameters
• Dramatic improvement in physical and psychological well-being by 67% in men and 84% in women
• Beneficial increases in estrogen levels, even without specific hormone replacement therapy for menopause; those changes may further help to protect postmenopausal women from the elevated cardiovascular disease risks of menopause, and
• No significant side effects.

Signs of low DHEA

• The face will look strained 
• Dry eyes, dry hair, and dry skin
• Poor hair growth in armpits, pubic area
• Potbelly
• Cellulite on the thighs
• Feelings of insecurity, anxiety, and gloom
• In women, you will have a very low sex drive
• Low energy levels

Optimal Ranges of DHEA 

According to Life Extension Magazine:  For women, an ideal DHEA-S level is 275 to 400 mg/dL, and in men, 350 to 500 mg/dL.

Dr. Mark Gordon recommends a level of 500 mg/dl for both men and women. 

References 

The Hormone solution Dr. Thierry Hertoghe 

Mastering the Life Plan  Dr. Jeffrey Life 

Traumatic Brain Injury Dr. Mark Gordon

DHEA and the brain by Robert Morfin