About Pregnenolone

Pregnenolone is an endogenous steroid hormone involved in the steroidogenesis of progestogens, mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens as well as the neuroactive steroids. As such, it is a prohormone and, although it also has biological effects of its own, it behaves namely as a neuroactive steroid in its own right with potent anxiolytic effects. Pregnenolone and its sulfate, like DHEA and its sulfate, as well as progesterone, belong to the group of neurosteroids that are found in high concentrations in certain areas of the brain, where they are synthesized. Neurosteroids affect synaptic functioning, are neuroprotective and enhance myelinization.

Pregnenolone has been shown to act as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor with slightly less potency than allopregnanolone (its 3α,5α-isomer). Accordingly, it has anxiolytic effects, similarly to other neurosteroids like allopregnanolone and tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC). Interestingly, unlike pregnenolone, pregnenolone sulfate is a negative allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor as well as a positive allosteric modulator of the NMDA receptor. In addition, pregnenolone sulfate has been shown to activate the transient receptor potential M3 (TRPM3) ion channel in the podocyte and pancreatic islets causing calcium entry and subsequent insulin release.

What we do at Forever Ageless

We use pregnenolone as a valuable adjunct to treatment of memory loss and age-related anxiety.


Clinical Implications

Pregnenolone and its sulfate ester has been shown to relieve anxiety, improve cognitive and memory functioning. Pregnenolone is also being considered as a potential treatment for schizophrenia.