Sometimes called the "gateway hormone" or “mother hormone", Pregnenolone is the natural precursor of all steroid hormones in the human body, including androgens, estrogens, corticosteroids, and others.

  • Low brain levels of pregnenolone have been associated with imbalances in the physiological control of mood and sleep.
  • Interacts with GABA receptors to modify brain waves associated with healthy sleep patterns.
  • May promote normal psychomotor performance and efficiency in stressful environments.
  • Also serves as a precursor to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and progesterone.


Pregnenolone is synthesized directly from cholesterol and is responsible for countless functions in our bodies. By the age of 75, however, the body’s production of this valuable hormone has declined by as much as 60% and levels of the hormones for which pregnenolone is a precursor have also diminished.

Enhancing Memory and Cognition

Boosting acetylcholine levels, increasing neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons), and regulating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are among the ways pregnenolone may help improve memory and cognitive function.

---  Acetylcholine is a critical neurotransmitter that helps brain cells communicate with each other. Many Alzheimer’s medications actually work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine. In one study, French researchers discovered that infusing pregnenolone sulfate (a sulfated derivative of pregnenolone) into the brains of rats boosted acetylcholine release by 50% while improving cognitive recognition of a familiar environment.

---  Neurons are cells that send and receive electrical signals to and from other parts of the body, thus controlling all functions in humans and animals. Neurogenesis gives hope to those with chronic, debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s. Aware that neurogenesis is sensitive to hormonal influences, researchers examined the effect of pregnenolone sulfate on neurogenesis in young and old rats.   Infusion with pregnenolone sulfate increased nerve growth in both 3 and 20-month-old rats. The researchers concluded that pregnenolone could prevent the appearance of age-related cognitive disturbances.

---  GABA is also a critical neurotransmitter involved in proper cognitive function. An inhibitory neurotransmitter that aids in relaxation and sleep, GABA acts as a “balancer” for the brain, helping balance excitation with inhibition. Pregnenolone may inhibit or enhance the activity of GABA receptors, thus helping modulate nervous system function.

Alleviating Fatigue and Stress

Excessive stress can have serious health consequences. High blood pressure (hypertension), increased fatigue, and a weakened immune system are just a few conditions caused by high stress levels. Pregnenolone may play an important role in the body’s response to stress.

A research group of industrial psychologists studied pregnenolone’s effects on enhancing job performance in students and workers. They found that pregnenolone helped both groups learn and remember difficult tasks. Pregnenolone not only enhanced job performance, but also helped produce heightened feelings of well-being in the test subjects.

During periods of stress, the output of adrenal hormones increases. Increased output of these hormones has been associated with increased fatigue in army pilots, resulting in poor performance. In a study of pilots under stress, 50 mg of pregnenolone daily improved performance with no adverse side effects.

Combating Depression

Antidepressant medications not only are associated with a host of adverse side effects such as loss of libido, weight gain, constipation, and insomnia, but also do little to address underlying causes of depression or anxiety. Numerous studies demonstrate that a deficiency of pregnenolone may be linked to depression.

In one study, subjects with either current depression or a history of depression were found to have significantly lower levels of pregnenolone than healthy individuals. Additionally, patients with active depression had lower levels of pregnenolone compared to those with a prior history of depression.  While studies of pregnenolone’s effectiveness in treating depression are lacking, previous clinical trials have demonstrated that daily doses of 25-75 mg enhanced feelings of well-being in some individuals.

Conclusion

Pregnenolone may help prevent or ease many of the effects of aging:  improved memory, increased energy levels, or elevated mood. For others, preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, or coronary heart disease are important health goals.

An advantage of bioidentical hormones such as pregnenolone is that they go to work quickly in the body. Scientific studies demonstrate that pregnenolone is able to improve myriad health conditions in a relatively short period. Although pregnenolone is generally considered safe even at high doses, the only way to determine an appropriate dose is through blood testing. 

Supplemental pregnenolone is molecularly identical to the pregnenolone that the body makes naturally.  The raw material to create pregnenolone comes from wild yams (Dioscorea villosa), which are grown in Mexico and other tropical regions throughout the world.