How to Know If Pregnenolone is Right For Me

If you're considering pregnenolone dietary supplements, you want to know if they're right for you. Steroid hormones, such as pregnenolone, are critical for brain health, hormone imbalances, and more. 

Yet pregnenolone supplements may come with many unknowns for people considering taking them for health and wellness. In this article, we'll dive into pregnenolone and its benefits to help you make the best decision for your health.

What is pregnenolone?

Pregnenolone is a neurosteroid synthesized from cholesterol and produced in the brain, adrenal glands, and gonads. Small amounts of pregnenolone convert to different hormones in the body. For example, pregnenolone changes into the sex hormones testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen. It also transforms into cortisol, the stress hormone.

Since it's the building block for other hormones, pregnenolone is sometimes referred to as the mother hormone-like DHEA. Some people can develop adrenal insufficiencies, and scientific research suggests this affects pregnenolone production. When this happens, taking a pregnenolone supplement is often necessary.

Benefits of Pregnenolone

 The pregnenolone benefits are varied, but the main reason people undergo a treatment program is for brain health. In alternative medicine, pregnenolone may help combat many age-related problems and other health conditions, including:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Fatigue
• Menopausal symptoms
• Depression
• Allergies
• Multiple sclerosis
• Premenstrual condition
• Psoriasis
• Endometriosis
• Arthritis
• Breast cancer
• Autoimmune diseases

If you suspect you have any of the above health conditions, speak to your doctor about blood testing, and undergo a complete physical exam.

Signs and symptoms

 Signs of low progesterone vary from person to person, but the following symptoms are most common.

• Poor memory
• Muscle pains
• Chronic illness
• Chronic pain
• Chronic infection
• Dry skin
• Low sex drive
• Decreased concentration and attention

Pregnenolone deficiency may also affect your immune system, heart rhythm, digestive health, and blood pressure. Since low pregnenolone can lead to a hormone deficiency, you may also have hair loss and less facial hair.

Boosts Cognitive Health
  

One of the main benefits of pregnenolone supplementation, according to medically reviewed studies, is cognitive health. As one ages, memory may decrease, and taking pregnenolone may improve learning and memory. Studies published about steroid hormones showed that animals taking pregnenolone had improved memory, but more research needs to be done.

Cortisol and Pregnenolone Connection

The "cortisol steal" is a term discussed a lot when it comes to pregnenolone. Cortisol production also happens in the adrenal glands and is converted from pregnenolone. Cortisol is the stress hormone that serves the purpose of helping you have a normal stress response. It also helps regulate blood pressure, metabolism, and other critical bodily functions.

However, high cortisol levels all the time elevate your body in fight mode, giving you a heightened sensation that over time can lead to many health problems. It's theorized that high cortisol levels mean that your body is "stealing" pregnenolone to make cortisol instead of other essential hormones.

On the other hand, it's believed that pregnenolone decreases the amount of cortisol produced in the body. Supplementing with pregnenolone may aid stress management.

Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety commonly go together, and the reasons for them vary from person to person. Pregnenolone may help boost mood and happiness, according to research. Symptoms of depression include one or more of the following:

• Decreased energy and interest in life
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Chronic fatigue
• Thoughts of death and suicide
• Difficulty sleeping or continuously sleeping
• Changes in appetite and weight

Depression is a severe mental health condition that requires treatment and may be connected to low pregnenolone and other health concerns.

Schizophrenia

According to scientific evidence, mental disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may be helped with neurosteroids, such as pregnenolone. Schizophrenia is a mental health condition where individuals see life abnormally.

The symptoms of schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking. According to the Mayo Clinic, it's possible to treat schizophrenia with medications, and the earlier it's treated, the higher the possibility of getting it under control.

Improves Sleep Quality

Low pregnenolone may improve sleep quality. Lots of things can lead to poor sleep, such as chronic stress and hormonal imbalances. Pregnenolone, along with other techniques, may help you sleep deeper and longer.

Hormonal imbalances can really wreak havoc with relaxation and sleep. Since pregnenolone converts to hormones, studies show a direct connection between low pregnenolone and poor sleep.

Aids Weight Loss

Losing weight is definitely not a science with so many theories about how to meet your weight loss goals. Yet, there is a connection between stress levels and pregnenolone. If pregnenolone reduces cortisol levels, then it may aid your weight loss.

High amounts of stress impair your ability to lose weight. In fact, stress may only help add pounds. By increasing the pregnenolone level in your body, it may reduce stress and aid in weight loss.

Balances Hormones

The importance of hormone production cannot be overstated. Maintaining optimal hormone levels affects every single aspect of your health. Knowing whether you have a hormonal imbalance may require a doctor’s appointment for hormone tests, but you can use a home test kit to determine if taking hormones is right for you.

Depending on the test results, you may have low estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, or testosterone. It's natural for hormones to decrease as you age, but that doesn't mean you have to suffer from hot flashes, insomnia, low sex drive, and other symptoms. Topical hormone creams can help boost these levels, as well as taking pregnenolone.

Dosage Recommendations

The appropriate dosage depends on the person’s age, health, and other factors. Some possible side effects may include feeling drowsy, oily skin, irregular heartbeat, and other concerns. However, it’s generally safe for most people to take up to 12 weeks.

Knowing It’s Right For you

Taking pregnenolone is a personal choice. Understanding the underlying cause of low pregnenolone may also be necessary before making the decision to supplement. Knowing it's right for you depends on numerous factors.

Yet pregnenolone is a powerful mother hormone that can improve cognitive health, aid weight loss, lower stress, and generally help you feel more vital and alive. Try a pregnenolone supplement today to see if it's right for you.