Cholinergic

Cholinergic refers to something in our body that uses a type of chemical called acetylcholine to send messages from one nerve cell to another. Think of acetylcholine like a phone call between friends - it's how your body's cells talk to each other.

There are two main types of cholinergic receptors in our bodies - nicotinic and muscarinic. Nicotinic receptors are like doors that let in tiny particles called ions to help pass along messages between nerve cells. Muscarinic receptors work like locks that solve complicated puzzles to keep the ions flowing smoothly.

Cholinergic neurons are responsible for helping to control some of our body's functions, like our breathing, digestion, heart rate and even our mood. When we take certain medications, like those used to treat Alzheimer's disease, they can boost the amount of acetylcholine in our brains and help improve our memory and thinking.

Sometimes, certain toxins or diseases can mess with the way our cholinergic system works, which can cause things like seizures or muscle weakness. But overall, having a strong cholinergic system is important for helping us live healthy, happy lives.