How strong is the evidence that DHT metabolites have meaningful GABAergic, anxiolytic effects?

Effects in humans are far less established

There’s some preclinical evidence that certain DHT metabolites interact with GABA A receptors

Mechanistically it’s plausible because 3α metabolites can modulate GABA-A

The anxiolytic effects are typically mild in animal studies

Metabolites can act as neurosteroids which influence GABA

Dose and local brain conversion matter a lot

Peripheral blood levels may not reflect brain concentrations

Other neurosteroids e.g allopregnanolone have stronger evidence

Bottom line biologically plausible not strongly proven in humans

Context stress levels baseline hormones likely shapes effects