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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Medline Plus: DHEA
- National Heart Blood and Lung Institute: Insomnia
- National Heart Blood and Lung Institute: Insomnia
- "American Journal of Physiology"; DHEA Administration Increases Rapid Eye Movement Sleep and EEG Power in the Sigma Frequency Range; E. Friess, et al; January 1995
- "American Journal of Physiology"; DHEA Administration Increases Rapid Eye Movement Sleep and EEG Power in the Sigma Frequency Range; E. Friess, et al; January 1995
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DHEA Supplements & Insomnia
Troublesome and frustrating, insomnia can have a variety of causes. But researchers have found a possible link between the hormone known as DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, and sleep quality.
About DHEA
DHEA is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands that helps your body produce sex hormones known as estrogens and androgens. DHEA is also made synthetically from wild yams and soy for use in dietary supplements. As you age, your production of DHEA decreases. According to Medline Plus, DHEA is often used to treat symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease and to improve cognitive functioning 1. Some people use DHEA supplementation for its purported energy and muscle-enhancing effects, although there's not much evidence to support claims that it works. However, some research has found that low levels of DHEA may affect sleep quality, and that DHEA supplementation may offer benefits to patients with insomnia.
- DHEA is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands that helps your body produce sex hormones known as estrogens and androgens.
- According to Medline Plus, DHEA is often used to treat symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease and to improve cognitive functioning 1.
Insomnia Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
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Insomnia occurs in two forms, primary and secondary. Primary insomnia means you have difficulty sleeping not caused by another medical condition. Secondary insomnia, the most common type, results from conditions such as depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease or another emotional, neurological or psychological disorder. According to the National Heart Blood and Lung Institute, symptoms of insomnia can cause you to feel tired during the day, have difficulty paying attention, and have diminished energy 2. Typically, doctors suggest lifestyle changes, such as:
- caffeine
- alcohol
- nicotine
Some people use natural remedies, such as DHEA, although there is not much evidence to unequivocally support its benefits.
- Insomnia occurs in two forms, primary and secondary.
- Typically, doctors suggest lifestyle changes, such as: * caffeine
* alcohol
* nicotine Some people use natural remedies, such as DHEA, although there is not much evidence to unequivocally support its benefits.
Clinical Evidence
This may show benefits particularly for people suffering from age-related dementia, since REM sleep has an impact on memory. Another study, published in the fall 1998 issue of the "American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry," reports that elderly participants with low levels of DHEA reported high levels of insomnia. However, there's not much evidence to support effects of DHEA on insomnia in the general population.
Considerations
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Although DHEA supplementation may provide some benefit for insomnia, you should not use dietary or herbal supplements to self-treat any symptoms. According to the National Heart Blood and Lung Institute, as many as eight of 10 people have secondary insomnia caused by another medical condition 2. Consult your doctor to rule out the possibility of an underlying disorder. Inform your doctor if you choose to use a DHEA supplement.
- Although DHEA supplementation may provide some benefit for insomnia, you should not use dietary or herbal supplements to self-treat any symptoms.
- Inform your doctor if you choose to use a DHEA supplement.
Related Articles
References
- Medline Plus: DHEA
- National Heart Blood and Lung Institute: Insomnia
- "American Journal of Physiology"; DHEA Administration Increases Rapid Eye Movement Sleep and EEG Power in the Sigma Frequency Range; E. Friess, et al; January 1995
- "American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry"; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S) and Psychiatric and Laboratory Measures of Frailty in a Residential Care Population; M. Morrison, et al; Fall 1998
- National Instutites of Health MedlinePlus. Wild yam. Updated April 18, 2018.
- National Institutes of Health MedlinePlus. DHEA. Updated May 29, 2019.
- Park SG, Hwang S, Kim JS, Park KC, Kwon Y, Kim KC. The association between dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and bone mineral density in Korean men and women. J Bone Metab. 2017;24(1):31–36. doi:10.11005/jbm.2017.24.1.31
- von Mühlen D, Laughlin GA, Kritz-Silverstein D, Bergstrom J, Bettencourt R. Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation on bone mineral density, bone markers, and body composition in older adults: the DAWN trial. Osteoporos Int. 2008;19(5):699–707. doi:10.1007/s00198-007-0520-z
- Peixoto C, Devicari Cheda JN, Nardi AE, Veras AB, Cardoso A. The effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the treatment of depression and depressive symptoms in other psychiatric and medical illnesses: A systematic review. Curr Drug Targets. 2014;15(9):901-14.
- Cleveland Clinic. Prasterone, DHEA tables or capsules (Dietary supplements).
- Archer DF. Dehydroepiandrosterone intra vaginal administration for the management of postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2015 Jan;145:139-43. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2014.09.003
- Freitas RP, Lemos TM, Spyrides MH, Sousa MB. Influence of cortisol and DHEA-S on pain and other symptoms in post menopausal women with fibromyalgia. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2012;25(4):245-52. doi:10.3233/BMR-2012-0331.
- Gómez-Santos C, Hernández-Morante JJ, Tébar FJ, et al. Differential effect of oral dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate on metabolic syndrome features in pre- and postmenopausal obese women. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2012;77(4):548-54. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.2011.04306.x.
- Panjari M, Davis SR. DHEA for postmenopausal women: a review of the evidence. Maturitas. 2010;66(2):172-9. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2009.12.017
Writer Bio
Ashley Miller is a licensed social worker, psychotherapist, certified Reiki practitioner, yoga enthusiast and aromatherapist. She has also worked as an employee assistance program counselor and a substance-abuse professional. Miller holds a Master of Social Work and has extensive training in mental health diagnosis, as well as child and adolescent psychotherapy. She also has a bachelor's degree in music.