Top Ten Signs You Need to Support Acetylcholine

by Dr. Diana Driscoll

What are the signs you need to support acetylcholine? The symptoms of low acetylcholine can be easy to miss because there is no blood test for it. Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger needed by your nervous system – the central nervous system (brain function), the peripheral nervous system (muscles), and the autonomic nervous system (all “automatic” functions).

When acetylcholine levels are insufficient, anticholinergic syndrome results. When dramatic or due to poisoning, this is easy to recognize. When subtle, however, it can be interpreted as “just getting older”, “being stressed out”, or “just not feeling my best”.

Inflammation, aging, genetic traits, chronic illness, some medications, and even extreme exercise can reduce the release of acetylcholine.

When dry eye is one manifestation of this systemic problem, supporting acetylcholine can result in normalized tear production and maximized overall wellness.


Top Ten Signs You Need to Support Acetylcholine:

  1. Chronic dry eye
  2. Poor short-term memory or “brain fog”
  3. Sluggish digestion and constipation
  4. The inability to relax easily or being “high strung”
  5. Fatigue, especially mental fatigue
  6. Large pupils, often with light sensitivity
  7. Emotional instability
  8. Dry Mouth
  9. Fast heart rate
  10. Chronic inflammation

There is no blood test for low acetylcholine release. Doctors must recognize this based on presentation. When subtle, it is easy to miss.
When corrected properly, tear production normalizes , and overall wellness improves.

A blonde woman wearing a white blazer over a blue turtle neck smiling.
About the Author

Diana Driscoll, OD

Dr. Diana Driscoll is a foremost authority on autonomic dysfunction, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), chronic dry eye, vagus nerve disorders, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), and similar “invisible” illnesses. She is the Founder and President of Genetic Disease Investigators and the Clinical Director of POTS Care, the only clinic in the world dedicated to treating the underlying medical causes of POTS, not just the symptoms. An inventor with three patents to date, she is also the Founder and President of TJ Nutrition — a company based on her expertise concerning the autonomic nervous system.

Related Articles
Why You Don’t Need to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve

Jan 30, 2025

Diana Driscoll

Optometrist

Why You Don’t Need to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve

The recent surge in interest around the vagus nerve has led many to seek methods to stimulate their vagus nerve – everything from humming or splashing water on their face to using expensive vagus nerve stimulators. However, it's essential to realize that the vagus..

Read Morearrow
Why You Don’t Need to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve

Jan 30, 2025

Diana Driscoll

Optometrist

Why You Don’t Need to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve

The recent surge in interest around the vagus nerve has led many to seek methods to stimulate their vagus nerve – everything from humming or splashing water on their face to using expensive vagus nerve stimulators. However, it's essential to realize that the vagus..

Read Morearrow
Signs You Need to Support Acetylcholine – TOP TEN

Jan 30, 2025

Diana Driscoll

Optometrist

Signs You Need to Support Acetylcholine – TOP TEN

Acetylcholine is one of the body’s most important neurotransmitters. You can’t see it, you can’t measure it, but it is critical for your health. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter — a chemical messenger that allows your nerves to communicate.

Read Morearrow
Signs You Need to Support Acetylcholine – TOP TEN

Jan 30, 2025

Diana Driscoll

Optometrist

Signs You Need to Support Acetylcholine – TOP TEN

Acetylcholine is one of the body’s most important neurotransmitters. You can’t see it, you can’t measure it, but it is critical for your health. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter — a chemical messenger that allows your nerves to communicate.

Read Morearrow
Exciting New Science Released — Dry Eyes in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Jan 30, 2025

Diana Driscoll

Optometrist

Exciting New Science Released — Dry Eyes in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Patients suffering from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) often experience a myriad of ocular symptoms. These conditions are addressed in my latest book, “Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Your Eyes and EDS Updated” and which conditions can be detrimental or which are merely...

Read Morearrow
Exciting New Science Released — Dry Eyes in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Jan 30, 2025

Diana Driscoll

Optometrist

Exciting New Science Released — Dry Eyes in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Patients suffering from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) often experience a myriad of ocular symptoms. These conditions are addressed in my latest book, “Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Your Eyes and EDS Updated” and which conditions can be detrimental or which are merely...

Read Morearrow