Pregnenolone, the precursor of various steroid hormones, was used to successfully treat rheumatic diseases as early as 1940. It is one of the hormones that effectively increase brain power and is considered the anti-aging agent par excellence. Since the 1980-ies, it has been more and more replaced by cortisone, which, unlike pregnenolone, has many harmful side effects.
What is pregnenolone?
Pregnenolone (molecular formula: C21H32O2) is the precursor substance of more than 150 steroid hormones that control various body processes. Via the precursor progesterone, it produces the male sex hormone testosterone and from this in turn the female sex hormone estrogen. It also produces glucocorticoids, mineral corticoids, stress hormones and DHEA. The substance was first produced synthetically in 1934. In the brain, it acts as a neurotransmitter. The human body produces pregnenolone in the cell mitochondria from cholesterol. In men and women, pregnenolone levels are about the same. In children, it increases significantly from the age of 9 and is highest between the ages of 25 and 30. After that, it steadily decreases. This is reflected in decreasing vitality, reduced brain function and declining libido. Since the substance acts primarily as a neurosteroid, its concentration in the brain is much greater than in the blood. Pregnenolone is available as a dietary supplement in capsule and powder form, and for external use as an ointment in pharmacies and via the Internet.
Function, effect and tasks
Pregnenolone has many positive direct and indirect effects. It improves brain performance that declines with age by enhancing memory function, learning ability, concentration, attention, language performance, and vision. It has a mood-lifting and anxiety-reducing effect, and can therefore be used as a remedy for depression and anxiety. Since it raises the general energy level, the patient can also use it against burnout and general lack of performance. In this application, he can also take it together with melatonin and/or DHEA. It also improves brain function in younger people suffering from memory deficiencies caused by too much stress. As recent clinical studies show, daily administration of 500 mg of pregnenolone even positively influences undesirable symptoms of schizophrenia. Patients were more attentive and had improved memory and receptivity. In addition, because the drug has anti-inflammatory properties and a similar action profile to cortisone, it can be used effectively to treat rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Pregnenolone protects the myelin sheaths surrounding brain neurons, inhibiting the development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It repairs nerve damage caused by burns or accidents. Pregnenolone prevents cancer and reduces the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The steroid improves heart function, reduces high cholesterol levels, and is prescribed to diabetics over 40 because it regenerates beta cells in the pancreas. In young women, it stabilizes irregular menstrual cycles via the production of progesterone, increases libido, and relieves menstrual pain. In older women, it reduces menopausal symptoms and supports the health of the female reproductive organs. Because it increases the activity of GABA receptors in the brain, pregnenolone also promotes restful sleep. Applied externally, it regenerates skin tissue and has a rejuvenating effect.
Formation, occurrence, properties, and optimal levels
Pregnenolone occurs naturally in the wild yam, from which it is produced semi-synthetically. The plant’s own saponin diosgenin is used in this process. The human body produces pregnenolone largely in the adrenal cortex, but also in the liver, skin, brain and sexual organs. Since the level of pregnenolone in the body can be considered an indication of the progressive aging process, it is used as a basis for calculating the maximum daily dose. To determine the amount of the hormone present in the body, the physician performs the ACTH test. Based on the test result, he sets the daily dose to be administered. To find out which is the best dose, he takes blood from the patient treated with the substance 3 to 5 days before and checks the hormone status. Younger patients suffering from milder memory problems should start with the low dose of 10 mg per day.A daily dose of 15 mg is recommended for men and women 40 years of age and older, and 30 mg for those 50 years of age and older (average dose). Patients with more pronounced symptoms and elderly patients 60 and older receive 50 mg daily. Patients with existing autoimmune diseases should take 300 to 500 mg of pregnenolone daily. The active ingredient is usually consumed as a capsule in the morning with plenty of fluid on an empty stomach and delivered evenly throughout the day.
Diseases and disorders
The steroid has no side effects when taken as directed. Epileptics should use it in very small doses (if at all!). Young people under 25 years of age are generally not prescribed it. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should consult their doctor beforehand. When DHEA is taken at the same time, the effectiveness of both substances increases. Pregnenolone is used as a dietary supplement for a general increase in physical and mental performance and therapeutically for the treatment of pregnenolone deficiency. In the case of deficiency symptoms – recognizable, for example, by chronic fatigue, burnout syndrome, reduced resistance to stress, declining memory and concentration, visual and hearing disorders, depression, anxiety, a generally reduced visual and acoustic receptivity – the affected person should have a hormone status done by a doctor and have pregnenolone prescribed. In the case of existing chronic diseases that are treated with medication, it is advisable to consult the treating physician beforehand. Otherwise, there could possibly be unpredictable interactions.
