Acetylcholine

Acetylcholine is a hot topic within the realm of memory enhancement. It is a neurotransmitter that is critical for the everyday functioning of the brain, particularly in the areas of movement, learning & memory, and sleep quality. Check out this post to learn how to promote balanced acetylcholine in your body and function at your very best.

Introduction 

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is used for many things: from stimulating muscles to memory and sleep.
Acetylcholine is synthesized in nerve terminals from acetyl-CoA (which is synthesized from glucose) and choline in a reaction that is catalyzed by choline acetyltransferase [R].
Acetylcholine controls movements by activating skeletal muscles and causes muscle contraction [R].
Acetylcholine and histamine interact together to contract muscles in the lungs [R].
It also schedules and promotes REM sleep [R].
Another important role of acetylcholine is in the brain; it is involved in memory and attention [R, R].

Benefits of Acetylcholine

1) Acetylcholine Prevents Memory Loss

Too little acetylcholine in the hippocampus has been associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s [R].
There is a link between acetylcholine and Alzheimer’s disease. It is estimated that there is a 90% loss of acetylcholine in the brains of people who suffer from Alzheimer’s [R].
Acetylcholine may enhance memory by helping encoding new memories and increasing the modification of synapses [R].

2) Acetylcholine Improves Attention

Acetylcholine helped improve attention and improves decision-making skills [R].

3) Acetylcholine Helps You Sleep Better

Acetylcholine promotes REM sleep, which helps memory storage and for the brain to rest. Acetylcholine release in the basal forebrain is highest during REM sleep [R].

4) Acetylcholine Regulates Gastrointestinal Activity

Presynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) help release acetylcholine in the gut.
These receptors mediate a positive feedback with respect to ACh release from motor neurons, and therefore plays an important role in the regulation of gut flow [R].

5) Acetylcholine Protects Against Infections

Acetylcholine can modulate inflammatory responses. Acetylcholine was shown to have the ability to inhibit biofilm formation during a fungal infection (Candida albicans). Also, it inhibited inflammation-induced damage to internal organs [R].

6) Acetylcholine Affects Hormone Secretion

Acetylcholine affects pituitary hormone secretion by acting on the hypothalamus. It causes prolactin and growth hormone to secrete from pituitary glands [R].

Cons of Acetylcholine

Depression

Too much acetylcholine is associated with depression [R].

Acetylcholine is Related to Myasthenia Gravis

In myasthenia gravis, antibodies either block, alter, or destroy the receptors for acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, preventing muscle contractions.
It is a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. However, it is unclear if antibodies against receptors in the brain can directly cause the disease [R].

How to Change Your Levels of Acetylcholine

Increasing Acetylcholine

In order to increase your body’s levels of acetylcholine, you should increase choline levels. Choline can be found in a variety of sources [R].
When it comes to the herbs listed, they increase acetylcholine by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks them down – acetylcholinesterase.  Most common herbs have some inhibitory activity against the enzyme.
  • Foods with Choline (Eggs, Liver)
  • Choline supplements

Stronger:

  • Bacopa (R)
  • Huperzine A
  • Epimedium (R),
  • Caffeine (R),
  • Blueberries (R),
  • Zinc (R),
  • Copper (R),
  • Grape seed Extract (R),
  • Rosemary,
  • Cinnamon (R),
  • Tulsi (R),
  • Gotu Kola (R),

Weaker:

  • EGCG [R].
  • Curcumin [R].
  • Manganese, in the presences of citrate, increases acetylcholine synthesis [R].
  • DHA and dietary fish oils  [R].
  • Luteolin enhances choline, which in turn increases acetylcholine in the body [R].
  • Quercetin (high dose) (R),
  • Fo-ti (R),
  • Ashwagandha,
  • Saffron (R)
  • Reishi (R),
  • Carvacrol (R),
  • Rhodiola (R),
  • Rehmannia (R)/Catalpol (R)
  • Noni (R),
  • Ginkgo,
  • Peppermint,
  • Schisandra (R),
  • Magnesium (potentiates) (R),
  • Andrographis (weak) (R),
  • Fenugreek (R),
  • Melatonin (R),
  • Ginger (R),
  • Danshen (R),
  • Licorice (R),
  • Sulforaphane (R),
  • Ginseng (R),
  • Propolis (R),
  • Muira (R),
  • Insulin (R),
  • Fasting (R),

Decreasing Acetylcholine

A lot of drugs can inhibit acetylcholine, either by imitating it or inhibiting choline [R].
  • Nicotine
  • Forskolin,
  • Kava,
  • Lipoic Acid (in certain situations)
  • Piracetam,
  • Glycine in certain situations (R),
  • Curare
  • Mercury compounds
  • Botulin

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