Evidence supporting the use of: Acetylcholine
For the body system: Parasympathetic Nervous System

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 5

Acetylcholine is a well-studied endogenous neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in the parasympathetic nervous system, which is part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for "rest and digest" functions. When acetylcholine is released from parasympathetic nerve endings, it binds to muscarinic and nicotinic receptors on target organs, mediating actions such as decreased heart rate, increased glandular secretions, and stimulation of smooth muscle activity (e.g., in the digestive tract). The scientific basis for acetylcholine's function is firmly established through decades of neurophysiological and pharmacological research. Classic experiments by Otto Loewi in the early 20th century demonstrated acetylcholine's role as the "vagusstoff," showing that stimulation of the vagus nerve released a substance (later identified as acetylcholine) that slowed heart rate. Today, acetylcholine and its analogs or modulators (such as cholinergic agonists or acetylcholinesterase inhibitors) are used therapeutically in medicine to enhance parasympathetic activity where appropriate, such as in the treatment of certain types of glaucoma or myasthenia gravis. However, exogenous acetylcholine itself is not commonly supplemented as a dietary or over-the-counter agent because it is rapidly degraded in the body. Instead, drugs that mimic or boost acetylcholine's action are used clinically to influence parasympathetic nervous system activity. The evidence for acetylcholine's role is therefore robust and central to our understanding of the autonomic nervous system.

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