(12-96) Another fountain of youth - DHEA. Some called it the mother of all hormones. DHEA is a precursor of other hormones such as estrogen, testosterone. Some called it day time hormone in contrast to the night time hormone Melatonin, because unlike Melatonin, the level of DHEA is high during the day and low at night. The reason why it's called fountain of youth is because it is a hormone that correlates with aging process. DHEA peaks at around the age of 25, and drops significantly after 40. By age 70, there is as little as 5% of what it used to be left in your body. So you can see why so many are rushing to the store for DHEA.

I am keenly aware of my body changes. Ten years ago I complained to the doctor about my insomnia and verbal abilities. I told him they seem to correlate with my menstrual cycle. I would be terribly emotional and verbal for a while, then sink into depression and have difficulty finding words. Same cyclical phenomena seemed to occur with my insomnia. He was silent, which meant he either knew nothing or thought of me being crazy. I've changed several doctors since then. Each one of them adopted the same attitude. When I learned about Melatonin and DHEA a year ago, you can imagine the excitement I felt.

Still, my medically trained mind did not permit me to take these supplements with blind faith. I know Melatonin works wonders for insomnia, but it just slightly retarded my sharpness during the day. DHEA sharpens my mind during the day, however, the sleep at night is not as deep as it should be. For the last year, I've only taken less than twenty pills. I carefully open up the capsule and tap a little powder in my palm and lick it. With the right amount, I don't have to suffer the unwanted effect for too long. I don't know why I just don't pop a pill in the morning and pop another at night. That is too easy, isn't it. I guess the Chinese belief that good things should not be over used prevented me from taking the pills regularly.

I don't take DHEA regularly. I only take it when there is an important party. I could feel that all my brain cells are connected. I would be able to chat and joke, and understand what the others were talking about. One day I was simply tired of feeling tired, and popped a whole capsule of DHEA. Boy was I glad I didn't have any parties to go. I got on-line and chatted with cyberfriends. I said the things I shouldn't have said. I babbled when no one else was talking; and I cried in front of the screen when nothing really happened. These are my personal experience with the so called fountain of youth. If you want scientific studies, please do some research yourself.