Depression - what helps? Effects of acetylcholine and gaba on the treatment of depression

What helps with depression? Learn about the impact of neurotransmitters on mental health.

The brain is a complex machine that functions using nerve connections that communicate through neurotransmitters. This allows information to be transmitted in the brain and also sends information to all parts of the body, including muscles or glands. Low levels of neurotransmitters can cause depression, anxiety attacks or memory disorders, among other things. 

To date, more than 100 neurotransmitters have been discovered, and this is certainly not all of them yet. Each is responsible for a different area of bodily function. Some of the most popular are serotonin and dopamine. Their absence is often a factor in the occurrence of depressive states. But are they the only ones responsible for a sense of wellbeing? In this article, we take a closer look at the functions and properties of acetylcholine and gaba. 

How to deal with depression? Action of acetylcholine and relief of depressive symptoms 

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter responsible for muscle function, regulation of memory, attention, sleep, cognitive function and mood. In addition, the substance plays an important role in controlling acute stress reactions or memories, which can guide long-term behavioural patterns. Symptoms of acetylcholine deficiency these include: 

• Negative memory bias and mood disruption,
• inability to increase attention to external stimuli,
• lack of cognitive flexibility,
• lower resistance to stress,
• the decline in learning through reward.

It is important that acetylcholine is not present in deficiency, but also in excess. This is because cognitive fitness in relation to acetylcholine levels breaks down in an inverted U shape. Which means that too little of it is just as dangerous as too much of it. 

In general, the neurotransmitter is extremely important during the processes of learning, remembering and also maintaining mental balance. Depressed patients, especially those who experience increased distraction and learning problems, are advised to increase their acetylcholine levels by, among other things, a diet rich in choline, a substance that, together with acetic acid, enables the synthesis of acetylcholine.

According to the recommendations, each adult should consume approximately 425 mg of choline, i.e. almost half a gram per day! It can be found in offal, egg yolks or animal products. Despite its availability in food, it is difficult to supplement our daily requirement. 

Building a balance between dopamine and acetylcholine levels can be a good way to treat depression. A synthetic agent that has been shown to stimulate the formation of these two neurotransmitters is noopept. It is based on the endogenous peptide cycloproliloglycine. It exhibits neuroprotective effects by helping to increase the levels of these two neurotransmitters.

How do you deal with depression? What role does gammaaminobutyric acid play in the fight against depression?

Evidence of a reduction in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the central nervous system in patients with major depressive disorder is abundant. And research on this topic has been conducted since at least 1980. Observations by magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that there was a lower concentration of gaba in the cerebrospinal fluid of people who are depressed. If major depression is associated with low levels of this substance, then the conclusion follows - effective treatment of depression should aim to normalise gaba levels.

What is the gaba responsible for?

Gamma-aminobutyric acid is one of the main inhibitors of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system - this means that it inhibits the uptake of neurotransmitters at synapses, leading to an increase in their number in the spaces between them. This enables better neurotransmission and thus leads to better stimulation of the cells that have been 'engulfed' by depression. In addition, gaba improves sleep, alleviating insomnia and has an anti-anxiety effect.

How to increase γ-aminobutyric acid levels?

In the light of numerous studies examining the effects of the substance on the fight against depression, the aim should be to increase or decrease its levels (particularly in the plasma and brain areas). As with acetylcholine, both excess and deficiency will have negative consequences.

Symptoms of gama deficiency are increased nervous agitation, insomnia, hypersensitivity to stimuli, anxiety disorders, emotional instability or problems with concentration and memory.

In turn symptoms of excess gama are problems with concentration, apathy, reduced muscle tone, reduced heart rate and respiratory rate, slowed thinking and reactions.

The substance comes in the form of supplements, and some online sources state that an increase in acid levels can occur as a result of meditation or yoga. Another recommended way is to take the synthetic peptide bpc-157. In addition to its salutary effect on depression, the preparation also carries many more benefits, including. 

• Regenerative action for active people,
• accelerating wound healing,
• Relief of stomach ulcers, 
• anti-inflammatory action. 

If you are struggling with depression, conventional treatments for depression, such as psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy, must not be forgotten. Seeing a good psychiatrist and adjusting the course of treatment is one of the most important steps to take. If you want to further support the treatment, it is worth changing your diet, introducing exercise and using the synthetic peptide bpc 157 or noopept.