As I understand it, birth control is designed to mimic the hormonal characteristics of pregnancy; a state which is otherwise natural and usually well tolerated

As I understand it, birth control is designed to mimic the hormonal characteristics of pregnancy; a state which is otherwise natural and usually well tolerated by the body. I'd say the use of this drug for Alzheimer's patients is more similar to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause. Use in neurotypicals to increase intelligence, would then be similar to hormone therapy as used by transsexual and intersex people, and possibly warrant a similar risk analysis.