Pregnenolone side effects
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Pregnenolone is a natural hormone that cannot be patented. Back in the 1940's, when researchers started experimenting with the use of pregnenolone, they realized that it could be helpful for people under stress and it could increase energy in those who were fatigued. However, about the same time, cortisol, another closely related hormone, was discovered. Cortisol stole the limelight. When cortisol was given to individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, there were outstanding short-term improvements. Photographs of these remarkable recoveries were circulated and the medical community was impressed. Scientists basically put pregnenolone aside to focus on cortisol. The structure of cortisol was altered to make similar molecules such as dexamethasone and prednisone, much more powerful steroids. Dexamethasone and other similar corticosteroids could be patented, and thus a pharmaceutical company could make a lot of money by owning patents.

Pregnenolone has stayed in relative obscurity since the 1940's, with only rare mentions in the medical literature. A review of Medline, the computer system that records all articles published in scientific journals, shows only a few studies published on pregnenolone in recent years, and only a couple involve human subjects.

Benefits of Pregnenolone
Some people find pregnenolone improves energy levels, vision, memory, clarity of thinking, wellbeing, and often sexual enjoyment. Some women report lessening of hot flashes or premenstrual symptoms. Studies in rodents show pregnenolone to be one of the most effective and powerful memory boosters. Pregnenolone may increase levels of acetylcholine in the hippocampus and other memory regions in the brain. However, pregnenolone is not risk-free.

Side effects of Pregnenolone:
Overstimulation and insomnia
Irritability, anger or anxiety
Acne
Headaches
Possible scalp hair loss if used daily for prolonged periods
Irregularities of heart rhythm, palpitations on high doses
Unknown effects on the thyroid gland or other organs

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Pregnenolone Caution
We're still in the early stages of learning about pregnenolone and its full effects on the human body. It is best to proceed with caution until more information is available. This means using the lowest effective dose and seeking supervision by a knowledgeable health care provider. There are some medical or psychiatric conditions where pregnenolone can be used temporarily and then stopped. With this conservative approach, it is unlikely that any problems would arise. Our major uncertainty at this time involves the long-term use of pregnenolone as hormone replacement therapy, especially if high doses are used. Pregnenolone can also cause heart palpitations in high doses.
        With time, as more and more people use this hormone, we'll have a fuller understanding of its benefits and side effects. Those who have already found pregnenolone to be helpful in terms of mood elevation, stress reduction, arthritis help, visual and auditory enhancement, and so forth, but are concerned about unknown long-term effects, may feel more comfortable using pregnenolone only as needed and frequently taking time off from it. Taking these "hormone holidays" will mitigate any potential unknown risks.
        Daily use of pregnenolone over prolonged periods should be no more than 1 to 3 mg unless you are closely followed by a health care practitioner familiar with the clinical uses of this hormone. Current dosage available over the counter, such as 25, 50, or 100 mg are TOO high. If you purchase a 10 mg pill or capsule, take a portion of it (a fifth, a quarter, or a third) if you plan to take it on a regular basis.
   At this time, we don't think the routine blood test level evaluation of pregnenolone levels is helpful unless there is clinical evidence of hormone deficiency, even though some pregnenolone books routinely advocate this blood test.

Is Pregnenolone different that Progesterone?
Pregnenolone is converted in the body to progesterone and these two hormones have some overlapping similarities, but we still don't know exactly how their effects overlap. Pregnenolone is also converted into DHEA, which, in turn may convert into androstenedione, testosterone, and estrogens.