DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands. It is a precursor to testosterone and estrogen and is often called the "hormone of vitality" or "anti-aging hormone."
Key Functions
- •Vitality — supports energy, mood, and resilience
- •Longevity — levels decline with age; maintaining balance supports healthy aging
- •Precursor — converts to testosterone and estrogen as needed
- •Stress balance — under chronic stress, cortisol rises and DHEA falls
Cortisol/DHEA Ratio
Chronic stress shifts adrenal output from DHEA toward cortisol. Part 5 aims to reverse this — the adrenals switch from "emergency cortisol release" to DHEA production, supporting the "winner's state" of calm dominance.
Scientific Basis
Built on: Polyvagal Theory (Porges); Psychoneuroimmunology (Ader & Cohen); neuroplasticity research.