Neurotransmitters are your nervous systems great communicator. They relay signals between neurons and help to control your mood, energy, memory, concentration, sleep, weight and bodily functions. There are a lot of threats in the everyday world that can deplete a person’s stores of neurotransmitters. Stress, poor diet, neurotoxins, genetic predisposition, drugs, alcohol and caffeine use can all contribute to deleting stores of neurotransmitter. To help yourself function at an optimal level, there are some key supplements, that with addition to diet and stress management can help improve you’re your brain health.
Acetyl Choline
The Neurotransmitter acetylcholine plays a large role in encoding a person’s new memories (1). It helps a person to turn new short term memories into old ones, storing them in an easily accessible way. People who may be deficient in Acetyl Choline struggle to stay present in the moment or have a reduced reaction time or are constantly misplacing objects like keys, glasses ect.
Huperzine A
Huperzine-A also known as club moss is a cognitive enhancer used to stop the breaking down of some neurotransmitters, including acetyl choline. There has been a lot of research on the cognitive improvement in Alzheimer’s patients as well as with students. In one 1999 study, 34 adolescent students improved their learning performance (2).
Alpha-GPC
Alpha GPC also known as L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, is a form of choline that has been proven to improve brain function. It’s been said to boost attention, mental focus, memory, and cognitive ability. It builds brain cell membranes and contributes to the formation of acetylcholine neurotransmitters. In one study where young adults were taking a drug called scopolamine, that had depleted the acetyl choline stores, Alpha-GPC supplementation improved it after just 10 days of supplementation (3).
Sources
- Hasselmo, Michael E. “The Role Of Acetylcholine In Learning And Memory”. N.p., 2017. Print.
- Sun QQ, et al. “Huperzine-A Capsules Enhance Memory And Learning Performance In 34 Pairs Of Matched Adolescent Students. – Pubmed – NCBI”. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. N.p., 2017. Web. 6 Mar. 2017.
- Canal N, et al. “Effect Of L-Alpha-Glyceryl-Phosphorylcholine On Amnesia Caused By Scopolamine. – Pubmed – NCBI”. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. N.p., 2017. Web. 6 Mar. 2017.