All About Acetylcholine: Neurotransmitter for Memory and Focus

A low level of acetylcholine has a uniquely negative impact on memory and focus. Learn the 3 most effective ways for you to increase acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is one of the most important and ubiquitous neurotransmitters. It’s been called the “memory molecule” for the critical role it plays in memory, learning, and attention. It was the first neurotransmitter discovered and is one of the most abundant in the nervous system. A typical sign of insufficient acetylcholine is what’s referred to as “senior moments.” But when the acetylcholine level is low, these memory lapses can occur at any age. If your memory and ability to focus aren’t as good as you’d like, you’ll want to learn more about this unique brain chemical. What Is Acetylcholine? Acetylcholine was the first molecule to be identified as a neurotransmitter, a chemical that neurons use to communicate with each other. Otto Loewi, the German scientist who first encountered acetylcholine originally called it “vagusstoff” or “vagus substance” because it was released by the body’s longest nerve, the vagus nerve . ( 1 ) Later, he won a Nobel Prize for his discovery. Neurotransmitters are generally categorized as either excitatory or inhibitory, but acetylcholine is unique in that is doesn’t fall neatly into either camp. It functions differently depending on its location and what type of receptors are available. ( 2 ) Acetylcholine doesn’t occur just in the brain and the nervous system, it’s distributed throughout the body. In muscles, for example, it has an excitatory effect, but in the heart, it’s inhibitory. Even though acetylcholine is critical for higher thought processes, it’s not unique to humans. It’s found in other animals, plants, and even in bacteria and fungi. There are two main kinds of acetylcholine receptors — nicotinic and muscarinic. They get their unusual names from […]

Click here to view full article