Pregnenolone and NMDA Receptors

Research indicates that pregnenolone has two different, but complementary, effects on the brain. First it increases the activity of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, "which weaken with age, are involved in learning, memory, and alertness."¹ Second, it reduces GABA, which inhibits nerve impulses. So preg revs up learning, memory and alertness while simultaneously increaseing nerve impulse activity. The result: a significant nootropic, or smart drug.² Researchers found that: "The ability of the neuroactive steroid pregnenolone sulfate to alter N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated elevations in intracellular Ca2+ . . . was studied in . . . rat hippocampal neurons. . . . Pregnenolone sulfate . . . caused a concentration-dependent and reversible potentiation of the rise . . . in [Ca2+]i induced by NMDA."² This indicates that the consumption of preg can significantly alter the parameters of intelligence. That's why it's referred to as a smart drug or nootropic.

References

1. Pregnenolone and Mental Function. (Accessed Sept 2, 2008.)
   
2. Irwin R. P.; Maragakis N. J.; Rogawski M. A.; Purdy R. H.; Farb D. H.; Paul S. M. 1992. “Pregnenolone sulfate augments NMDA receptor mediated increases in intracellular Ca2+ in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.” Neuroscience letters., vol. 141, no1, pp. 30-34.