“When the maladaptive stress responses of illness, pain, or injury have inhibited DHEA production, significantly ill consequences can follow.” “The chronic stress response features continued up-regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HP-A) axis and the ongoing inhibition of sex hormones. While the concept of ‘adrenal fatigue’ (academicians always use the quotation marks!) is controversial, adrenal reserve capacity can be depleted and thus, DHEA production would be also.” From a Townsend Letter research article, “DHEA Physiology, Deficiency, and Treatment” by Alan B. McDaniel, MD.