Monograph

Pregnenolone is an imperative “brain-supporting” hormone that often decreases with age, leading to memory ailments, mood changes, stress and anxiety. As the precursor to several hormones, pregnenolone levels should be balanced to maintain vital metabolic functions. NUTRAscriptives® Pregnenolone can help you replenish pregnenolone levels with a micronized formula that promotes optimum absorption.
 

Description

Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone synthesized from cholesterol and naturally found in the brain, gonads, and adrenal gland. It is the precursor to DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

Research

Stress/Anxiety

Low pregnenolone levels can lead to increased stress and anxiety. One study found that men with high anxiety had lower pregnenolone levels than men without anxiety.[1] Pregnenolone is unique in alleviating anxiety, as the brain produces the right chemical amount of GABA receptors from pregnenolone to meet individual needs.[2]

Researchers reviewed the effects of pregnenolone in patients taking anti-anxiety medications. Subjects were given pregnenolone or a placebo for four weeks (15 mg for 2 weeks, then 30 mg for 2 weeks) followed by an anti-anxiety treatment. Results indicated pregnenolone reduced the adverse effects of anti-anxiety treatments, which include memory impairment and sedation.[3]

Balance Mood

The production of neurosteroids in the central nervous system has been linked to well-being. Pregnenolone sulfate (Preg-S), pregnenolone's metabolite, is a neurosteroid that helps maintain a balanced mood. It is found in the brain and central nervous system. One study observed Preg-S stimulated the release of mood boosting neurotransmitters that motivate a positive disposition.[4] Another study found pregnenolone levels were lower in patients with mood imbalances, as normal pregnenolone levels have mood-regulating effects.[5]

Memory Function

Several neurosteroids, including pregnenolone, can influence memory and learning. As individuals age, cognitive function can decline leading to memory impairments. Individuals with memory impairments often have low pregnenolone levels,[6] which can be restored to stimulate neuron function.[7],[8]

Pregnenolone enhances the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is important to memory function. One study observed low pregnenolone levels led to cognitive deficiencies in rats. Memory function was enhanced in rats that received pregnenolone sulfate (Preg-S), as it boosted acetylcholine levels.[9] A similar study found pregnenolone improved spatial memory by stimulating a moderate amount of acetylcholine in the nervous system.[10] The positive effects of Preg-S on memory function was quickly observed in one study suggesting pregnenolone may act directly with receptor sites to aid cognitive function.[11]

Improve Sleep

Low pregnenolone levels can affect the sleep-wake cycle. Pregnenolone was administered to rats that were deficient in this crucial hormone and had an irregular sleep-wake state. Researchers found restoring normal pregnenolone levels promoted a normal sleep-wake cycle.[12]

Cholesterol

As pregnenolone levels decrease, hormones change leading to unhealthy cholesterol levels. One study found a combination of pregnenolone, DHEA, progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone balanced high cholesterol levels. Researchers suggested optimal pregnenolone levels are essential to the production of optimal hormone levels that normalize cholesterol.[13]

Additional Information – Dosage & Interactions

Suggested Use

As a dietary supplement, take one capsule daily, or as directed by a physician.

Dosage

Up to 50 mg per day

Precautions

The maximum safe dosage of this supplement has not been determined for children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease. As with all supplement regimens, please consult your physician prior to use.

Pregnenolone is not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, or individuals with seizure disorders.

Drug Interactions

There are no known interactions with proper supplementation.

*Statements made herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

[1] Semeniuk, T, Jhangri, GS, Le Melledo, JM. Neuroactive steroid levels in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2001; 13(3):396-398.

[2] Gibbs, TT, Russek, SJ, Farb, DH. Sulfated steroids as endogenous neuromodulators. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2006 Aug; 84(4):555-567.

[3] Meieran, SE, Reus, VI, Webster, R, Shafton, R, Wolkowitz, OM. Chronic pregnenolone effects in normal humans: attenuation of benzodiazepine-induced sedation. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2004 May; 29(4):486-500.

[4] Barrot, M, Vallee, M, Gingras, MA, et al. The neurosteroid pregnenolone sulphate increases dopamine release and the dopaminergic response to morphine in the rat nucleus accumbens. Eur J Neurosci. 1999 Oct; 11(10):3757-3760.

[5] George, MS, Guidotti, A, Rubinow, D, et al. CSF neuroactive steroids in affective disorders: pregnenolone, progesterone, and DBI. Biol Psychiatry. 1994 May; 35(10):775-780.

[6] Marx, CE, Trust, WT, Shampine, LJ, et al. The neurosteroid allopregnanolone is reduced in prefrontal cortex in Alzheimer's disease. Biol Psychiatry. 2006 Dec; 60(12):1287-1294.

[7] Mayo, W, Le Moal, M, Abrous, DN. Pregnenolone sulfate and aging of cognitive functions: behavioral, neurochemical, and morphological investigations. Horm Behav. 2001 Sep; 40(2):215-217.

[8] Mayo, W, Lemaire, V, Malaterre, J, et al. Pregnenolone sulfate enhances neurogenesis and PSA-NCAM in young and aged hippocampus. Neurobiol Aging. 2005 Jan; 26(1):103-114.

[9] Vallee, M, Mayo, W, Darnaudery, M, et al. Neurosteroids: deficient cognitive performance in aged rats depends on low pregnenolone sulfate levels in the hippocampus. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1997 Dec; 94(26):14865-14870.

[10] Darnaudery, M, Koehl, M, et al. Pregnenolone sulfate increases hippocampal acetylcholine release and spatial recognition. Brain Res. 2000 Jan; 852(1):173-179.

[11] Meziane, H, Mathis, C, Paul, SM, Ungerer, A. The neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate reduces learning deficits induced by scopolamine and has promnestic effects in mice performing an appetitive learning task. Psychopharmacology. 1996 Aug; 126(4):323-330.

[12] Darbra, S, George, O, et al. Sleep-wake states and cortical synchronization control by pregnenolone sulfate into the pedunculopontine nucleus. J Neurosci Res. 2004 Jun; 76(5):742-747.

[13] Dzugan, SA, Arnold, SR. Hypercholesterolemia treatment: a new hypothesis or just an accident? Med Hypotheses. 2002 Dec; 59(6):751-756.