Dec 30, 2022 · What is acetylcholine (ACh)? Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that carries messages from your brain to your body through nerve cells. It’s an excitatory …

Parts in the body that use or are affected by acetylcholine are referred to as cholinergic. Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter used at the neuromuscular junction. In other words, it is the chemical that motor …

Apr 16, 2026 · Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that acts within the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is the chief neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system, which contracts …

Apr 7, 2026 · Acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter, plays a vital role in your body by facilitating communication between neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Aug 25, 2023 · Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger, or neurotransmitter, that plays an important role in brain and muscle function.

Acetylcholine, the first neurotransmitter discovered, was originally described as "vagus stuff" by Otto Loewi because of its ability to mimic the electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve.

Acetylcholine’s primary role is excitatory, meaning it causes action. It was also the first neurotransmitter ever discovered, and the one scientists know the most about. [1]

Acetylcholine is released by motor neurons, where it activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on skeletal muscle cells. This excites the muscle cells and causes them to contract.

Mar 24, 2026 · Acetylcholine is one of the most abundant chemical messengers in the body, responsible for triggering muscle contractions, regulating heart rate, supporting memory, and driving the sleep cycle.

Acetylcholine in the brain alters neuronal excitability, influences synaptic transmission, induces synaptic plasticity and coordinates the firing of groups of neurons.